India Provides Advanced Coffee Seeds to Nepal

Kathmandu. For the first time, coffee seeds have been imported to take the Nepali coffee sector out of its traditional confines.  

Coffee cultivation, which began about 9 decades ago in 2052 BS in Gulmi's Aampchaur, had been dependent on only one variety of 'Arabica' coffee for so many years. However, with the technical support of the Indian government and continuous efforts of the Nepali government, new seeds have now arrived in the Nepali coffee sector. 

The Indian government has provided Nepal with advanced variety coffee seeds (germplasm).  The seventh joint agriculture working group meeting held on August 16-17, 2018, outlined a framework for extensive strategic partnership in the agriculture sector between the two countries.  

As per the historic agreement reached in that meeting, it was agreed to exchange germplasm of crops such as paddy, maize, millet, wheat, vegetables, fruits, sugarcane, and tea, as well as livestock including Murrah buffaloes, Holstein Friesian, and Jersey cows. The provision of coffee seeds was included as one of the subjects in this broader agreement. 

To implement the agreement made at that time, technical bodies of both countries had been working diligently for a long time. As a result, Nepal has succeeded in obtaining advanced coffee seeds.

• Four New Varieties of Arabica Coffee and Their Importance

Four advanced varieties of Arabica coffee seeds developed by India's Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) and considered highly successful in India have been brought into Nepal. These include S.795, Selection.9, Cauvery Catimore, and Chandragiri, informed Dr. Deepak Khanal, spokesperson for the Tea and Coffee Development Board.  

According to Khanal, the received 8 kg of seeds includes 2-2 kg of each variety. 'Although the quantity may seem small, it is sufficient for research and expansion,' he says.  

Among these varieties, S.795 is known for its excellent taste and quality, while Selection.9 is famous for its drought tolerance. Similarly, the 'Cauvery' variety has the ability to fight the deadly coffee disease 'leaf rust', and the Chandragiri variety is characterized by high yield and large beans. The board has stated that the arrival of seeds with these diverse characteristics will certainly bring diversity to the Nepali coffee ecosystem.

• Dependent on a Single Species for 88 Years

Since the beginning of coffee cultivation in Nepal by Hira Giri, who brought seeds from Burma, it had been content with only one old variety until now. According to Dr. Deepak Khanal, spokesperson for the Board, long-term dependence on a single variety had prevented innovation in coffee and posed a significant risk of diseases. 

When a crop is grown with the same genetic traits for a long time, its productivity gradually decreases, and new diseases can easily attack it. Although the coffee currently grown in Nepal has established an identity as 'Himalayan Specialty Coffee' in the international market, it lags significantly in terms of quantity.  

With the objective of increasing the productivity of Nepali coffee, the National Tea and Coffee Development Board had made special efforts to request coffee seeds from India. The Board directly contacted the Coffee Board of India in its search for high-yielding coffee varieties suitable for Nepal's soil and climate. 

'It is due to the Board's initiative that the government-to-government (G2G) agreement could be practically implemented. The Board has not only brought the seeds but also prepared a detailed plan for their testing and expansion,' says spokesperson Dr. Khanal.  

He added, 'Although we have knowledge of international practices and technology, research activities that were stalled due to a lack of seeds will now proceed at a rapid pace.' 

• Joint Research Plan by NARC and Board

Before these valuable seeds received from India are directly taken to farmers' fields, their adaptability to Nepal's climate will be tested. For this, the National Tea and Coffee Development Board has collaborated technically with the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC). 

More than 5 kg of the received 8 kg of seeds have already been handed over to NARC. NARC will plant these in its research farms located in three different agro-climatic zones. The remaining seeds will be planted at the testing center of the Board's own regional office in Malepatan, Pokhara. 

Through tests conducted at different altitudes and environments, a technical conclusion will be drawn about which variety is most suitable for which region. 'This testing process will provide official information to Nepali farmers within the next few years about which coffee to plant in which location for maximum benefit. Commercial cultivation will only happen after that,' he says. 

The demand for coffee in Nepal is high in both domestic and international markets, but we have not been able to meet the demand. According to current data, the productivity of coffee in Nepal is very low. As the newly introduced varieties have been developed primarily for high productivity, they are expected to bring about a radical change in Nepal's total coffee production. 

If these new varieties are successful in Nepal's climate, farmers can expect double or more production compared to the current yield. With increased production, farmers' income will rise, and self-employment opportunities will be created in rural areas. It is believed that this will also contribute significantly to reducing Nepal's foreign trade deficit and earning foreign exchange from coffee exports. 

• Disease Resistance and Climate Adaptation

In the current situation where the direct impact of climate change is being felt in the agriculture sector, coffee cultivation is not exempt. Due to rising temperatures and unexpected rainfall, new diseases and pests are increasingly affecting coffee. 

Farmers have been complaining about the declining disease resistance in Nepal's old coffee varieties. Varieties like 'Cauvery' and 'Chandragiri' brought from India are particularly known for their ability to combat diseases. A technician from the Board states that if the testing of these varieties is successful, the risk of diseases like rust affecting Nepali coffee cultivation will be reduced. 

'Germplasm has arrived at a time when we are searching for varieties that can withstand climate change and provide stable production even in adverse weather. This can be very beneficial,' he said. 

• Agricultural Diplomacy in Nepal-India Relations

Although India has provided coffee germplasm to Nepal now, it is not new in terms of agricultural diplomacy. Previously, India had also provided Murrah buffaloes to Nepal. Employees of the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Center under the Ministry of Agriculture consider India providing quality seeds to Nepal as an act of honor.  

'The sharing of research outcomes from a prestigious institution like India's Central Coffee Research Institute with Nepal demonstrates goodwill and cooperation towards a neighboring country,' he said.  

• Coffee Increased in a Decade, but Pace is Slow 

In Nepal, over the past decade, there has been slow but steady progress in the commercial expansion of coffee cultivation. Analyzing data from fiscal years 2070/71 to 2081/82, according to the Tea and Coffee Development Board, the area under coffee cultivation has increased. 

Coffee cultivation, which was limited to 1,911 hectares nationwide in fiscal year 2070/71, has now expanded to 5,501.1 hectares. In the last year alone, the area has increased by approximately 1,200 hectares. 

Along with the area, coffee production has also shown a gradual increase, although the pace of this expansion is somewhat slow. In the initial year of 2070/71, production was 429.4 metric tons, and in the last fiscal year 2081/82, this volume increased to 641.9 metric tons. 

The fiscal year 2076/77 was particularly challenging during this 12-year journey of production. Both area and production saw a significant decline, with production shrinking to 273 metric tons. In the years since then, production has been on an improving trend, moving towards new heights. 

Looking at the demand and export status of Nepali coffee in the international market, its price has shown good improvement. In fiscal year 2070/71, 66,187 kg of coffee was exported, earning 52.2 million rupees. Although the quantity decreased to 63,998 kg, the export value was maintained at over 114.3 million rupees. This indicates that Nepali coffee is establishing its identity as high-quality (specialty coffee) in the global market. 

Fiscal year 2080/81 can be considered the most successful year in export history, with coffee worth approximately 150 million rupees exported abroad.  

• Coffee Imports are Also Increasing 

Along with external exports, data shows that domestic consumption of coffee in Nepal is also increasing rapidly, leading to a significant increase in imports. In fiscal year 2070/71, coffee worth 35.9 million rupees was imported, and by fiscal year 2080/81, this amount had increased to 419.8 million rupees. 

Notably, in fiscal year 2075/76, more than 1.262 million kg of coffee were imported. In the last year, 2081/82, there has been a slight decrease in both import volume and value.