In the International network of seven countries, Kodagu is the only district covered under the Coffee Agroforestry Network (CAFNET) project in India, said CAFNET regional coordinator C.G. Kushalappa. He told reporters here on Monday that in the seven countries-Indian, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda-all the identified areas are coffee growing regions and hotspots of Biodiversity. A pilot project was carried out at Cherambane in Madikeri taluk, where the identified six farmers reaped harvest through the project, he said, adding that the farmers got high prices for their Robusta Cherry Coffee with certificates.
In 38 estates of Kodagu, under three different vegetation namely evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous, they examined the small, medium and large scale growers, he said. In these areas, the research workers identified the traditional coffee growing and various species of trees and birds, he added. Hence, it was decided to add 20 more groups in Kodagu undet the Certified Coffee, he added.