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KOCHI: It was a stunning beginning to a perfect brew. Aroma and all. Two years ago when the Dutch team visited Wayanad, they took back two samples of coffee beans -- One from Brahmagiri and the other from Biowin Agro Research. "We gave them our best beans," recalls a member of the Climate Smart Coffee Project. "But we were stunned when the results came in. One scored 83 cup scores, the other 86. That's among the finest grades in the world. Specialty coffee starts at 80. Normally, our coffee gets a 52 cup score," the member added. This led to the beginning of a cooperative-led coffee revolution. With the Kerala government's long-envisioned Wayanad Coffee Park finally coming to life, a bold new chapter is being scripted in India's plantation economy --- one that centres around smallholders, not estates; sustainability, not volume. Early in its planning, the project toyed with the idea of two governance models: the famed Anand/Amul dairy cooperative model of Gujarat, and the public-private model of Cochin International Airport Ltd. After detailed deliberations and field engagement, the team chose Amul model. "We looked at what fits our reality," explains G Balagopal, head of the Climate Smart Coffee Project. "Over 60% of Wayanad's 60,000 coffee farmers are small, marginal or tribal. They don't own estates like in Coorg, across the district in Karnataka. The only way they gain power is through aggregation. The Anand model does that." Groundwork and Governance The cooperative structure is being built from the bottom up: Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) of 5-10 farmers feed into Farmers Interest Groups (FIGs), which are mentored by representatives from local dairy societies and the project, explains Prakash Madhavan, an advisor to the project. Above JLGs sit Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) --- six in total across Wayanad's three taluks. Four are general-purpose, while two are reserved: one for tribal farmers and another exclusively for women. An apex district-level federation will unify them, with a strong mentoring layer. Farmers will eventually gain shareholding rights in Kerala Coffee Ltd, a state government special purpose vehicle set up under the Plantation Department to lead the development of the Coffee Park. Coffee Park: The Hub of a New Ecosystem Spread across 20 acres in Kalpetta, the Coffee Park will house processing units, a cupping lab, a sustainability testing centre, and a coffee experience centre complete with a museum and café. At its heart will be a lake, around which tourists can engage with the coffee journey --- from bean to brew. An incubation centre for coffee startups, in partnership with NIT Calicut, is also on the cards. The goal? Spark youth and women entrepreneurship in everything from specialty roasts to coffee-based cosmetics and even textiles. "It's Not Just Coffee --- It's Climate Resilience" "This isn't a plantation revival," says Madhavan, who is a retired Dairy Development Director, using his experience in the dairy sector to good use to bring together coffee farmers. "It's a coffee-centred agroforestry model that counters climate change." He notes that coffee's ability to thrive in shade and conserve biodiversity makes it ideal for Wayanad's terrain --- unlike tea or other crops, coffee plantations rarely suffer landslides. The project originated from Meenangadi Panchayat, Kerala's first carbon-neutral initiative launched during T M Thomas Isaac's tenure as Finance Minister. When full carbon neutrality proved difficult for farmers, the idea evolved into "climate-smart agriculture" --- with coffee as the flagship crop. From Strip Plucking to Specialty Coffee Changing how coffee is harvested is key. "Earlier, we did strip plucking --- red, green, yellow, all at once," says Madhavan. "Now, farmers are trained to pick only ripened red beans for specialty grade. It's slower, more labour-intensive, but it earns far more." Already, 2,000 farmers have been onboarded into the training and aggregation system, many through existing milk cooperatives, which cover 20,000 families in Wayanad. "Most of them already grow coffee," says Balagopal. "We're just connecting the dots." Wayanad's Global Ambition The global coffee market is volatile, with prices set on futures exchanges. Indian coffee often fetches poor prices due to lack of quality segregation. But the Climate Smart Coffee Project wants to change that. "Wayanad produces about 50,000-60,000 tonnes of coffee annually, yet most farmers don't know their bean's cup score," says Madhavan. "But we found that our Robusta parchment coffee scores 10 grades higher than expected. In fact, Robusta is now more profitable than Arabica due to its climate resilience." The strategy is to brand 'Wayanadan Kappi' as a premium Indian Fine Robusta (WIFR) --- a move that recently saw its debut at the World of Coffee expo in Copenhagen. A Future Beyond Beans The long-term plan? Train 15,000 of Wayanad's 60,000 coffee farmers in quality control, traceability, and value addition. Provide digital disbursement tools, climate advisory services, and establish a local processing ecosystem so that more than 90% of coffee's value addition, which currently happens outside Kerala, stays with the farmer. "The average farm-gate price is just 5-7% of the final retail price," says consultant Ajit Mathai. "That must change. With quality-linked payments and proper processing, we can put Wayanad on the world map --- just like Araku Valley did for Andhra." He adds: "This is not idealism. It's already happening on the ground." In two years, the full Coffee Park will be functional. But training, aggregation, and branding are underway now. As one farmer recently quipped after a cupping session, "We didn't know our beans were this good. Now we won't sell them cheap again." And that may be the truest sign yet --- that Kerala's coffee revolution is not just brewing, but already pouring into the cup. Individual Farmers --- Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) Farmer Interest Groups (FIGs) --- 6 FPCs (incl. tribal & women-led)
New Delhi [India], December 2: The IVCA GreenReturns Summit 2024 commenced today in New Delhi, convening over 400 visionaries, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to chart a transformative path for India's green economy. The Summit is dedicated to aligning India's climate goals with its trillion-dollar economic aspirations for a 'Viksit Bharat,' spotlighting high-impact investment opportunities, addressing funding gaps, and driving actionable solutions for net-zero and climate adaptation. Also Read | Mamata Banerjee Says West Bengal Yet To Get INR 14,000 Crore From Centre for Supply of ...Read More >
Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], December 2 (ANI): Ambuja Cements has taken a step toward achieving its Net Zero goals. The company has partnered with Finland-based technology leader Coolbrook to implement its proprietary RotoDynamic Heater (RDH) technology. According to the exchange filing, this cutting-edge, zero-carbon heating solution, powered by renewable electricity, will drastically reduce the company's dependence on fossil fuels and lower its carbon emissions, aligning with its sustainability vision. Ambuja Cements will significantly reduce its fossil fuel dependence by harnessing renewa ...Read More >
New Delhi, Dec 4 (VOICE) Aadit Palicha, Co-founder and CEO of Zepto, on Wednesday said he is not against work-life balance and even recommends it to his competitors. Palicha's statement comes even as a viral post, on the American social media platform Reddit, accused the quick e-commerce platform of toxic work culture. "I have nothing against work-life balance. In fact, I recommend it to all our competitors :)," said the 22-year-old CEO, in a post on social media platform X. The Reddit post, by an anonymous user, alleged that Zepto's working environment was "toxic", with employees working ex ...Read More >
Bengaluru, 4th December 2024- PURE EV, one of India's leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to strengthen its presence nationwide and expand globally while introducing innovative solutions for sustainable mobility. Over the next 30 months, the company aims to add 250 new dealerships, taking its total network to over 320 across India. The expansion will be driven by the growing demand for long-range scooters, electric motorcycles, large B2B contracts, and the company's entry into the house-hold brand space. Dr. Nishanth Dongari, Founder & MD of PURE EV, ...Read More >
SOLAPUR, India (Reuters) - India is likely to produce a record amount of sugar in the next marketing year from October after millions of farmers expanded cane cultivation, encouraged by ample water supplies and declining prices of competing crops, farmers and industry officials told Reuters. The rebound in production would allow the world's second-largest sugar producer to resume exports in 2025/26, they said, after a lack of rain cut cane yields and led to two years of restrictions. Indian exports could cap global sugar prices, traders said, by increasing supplies in the world market at a t ...Read More >
WarmUp Ventures Founders L to R - Rajendra Lora ,Yogesh Chaudhary , Sharad Bansal Athera Venture Partners has roped in HDFC AMC's fund of funds as an LP for its Fund IV, while Warmup Ventures is launching its second fund. HDFC AMC invests in Athera's Fund IV Tech-focused venture capital fund Athera Venture Partners, formerly known as Inventus India, on Wednesday said that HDFC's fund of funds has invested in its Fund IV, which is scheduled to close in 2025. HDFC AMC's Select AIF FoF I Scheme will be a dominant LP in Athera's Rs 900-crore fund to be invested into fast-growing tech startups ...Read More >
VIJAYAWADA/GUNTUR : Governor S Abdul Nazeer has planted a Sapota (Sapodilla) sapling in the Raj Bhavan lawns here on World Environment Day, on Thursday. Governor Nazeer participated in the sapling plantation programme under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, coinciding with World Environment Day. Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is an effort to show our respect and dedication towards our motherland and nature. The Governor said this campaign aims to plant a tree in the name of a mother and create a lasting memory, ...Read More >
Berhampur (Odisha), Jun 6 (PTI) Environmental activist Medha Patkar on Saturday appealed to the people of Odisha for protection of Rushikulya river. The government planned to construct a dam in the river Pipalapnaka under Sorada block in the district. While participating in the Save Rushikulya river movement in Ganjam district, she said, "Rivers may be small or big, but they are our mother. We have to protect the rivers from attacks." She attended a meeting were organised by the Rushikulya Banchao Kriyaanusthan Committee (RBKC) and the Centre for Climate Justice, spearheading the agitation a ...Read More >
India's foreign direct investment (FDI) reached $81.04 billion in FY 2024-25, marking a 14% growth over the previous year, as investors lauded the country's liberalized policy regime and proactive economic reforms at an Investor Roundtable held in New Delhi. The event, hosted on June 5 at Vanijya Bhawan, brought together over 90 representatives from industrial parks, multinational firms, and business associations, with more than 50 industrial parks from states including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu participating in discussions. Union Minist ...Read More >
Kottayam: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Kerala and Tamil Nadu have always supported each other, establishing a model of cooperative federalism. He said that when rights of states are being encroached upon, such cooperation should be extended among others. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Vijayan inaugurated the Thanthai Periyar Memorial and Library in Vaikom in Kerala on Thursday, marking a significant occasion in the commemoration of the legacy of social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy. Several key political leaders from both Tamil Nadu and Kerala, underscored the longstanding ...Read More >
New Delhi: On World Environment Day, an emotional moment unfolded during commencement of a national green project, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a sapling of Sindoor at his official residence in New Delhi, which was gifted to him by the valiant women of Kutch, Gujarat, who exemplified courage and sacrifice during the 1971 war with Pakistan. The role played by Indian women during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war is now being used as a symbol to promote the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam 2.0' campaign, under which the government aims to plant 10 crore trees across India between June and September 202 ...Read More >
Kandla (Gujarat) [India], June 5 (ANI): On the occasion of World Environment Day, the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) Kandla reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to sustainability and joined the global movement to 'Beat Plastic Pollution.' DPA highlighted its ongoing efforts toward building a cleaner, greener maritime ecosystem. These include conserving green cover, embracing renewable energy, and implementing comprehensive green port initiatives--all aligning with the port's long-term vision of environmental stewardship. To mark the day, a tree plantation drive was organised, witnessing enth ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jun 6 (PTI) Infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) on Friday said it will raise Rs 500 crore through ESG bonds. An ESG bond is a debt security that funds an environmental, social, or governance goal. "Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has announced a Rs 500 crore ESG bond issuance deal, becoming the first Indian corporate to do so under the Securities and Exchange Board of India's (Sebi's) newly introduced ESG and sustainability-linked bond framework," the company said in a statement. HSBC is acting as the sole lead arranger in the transaction, it said. As part of the ESG bond deal, the ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) Sustainability is at the heart of our maritime policy, and we are committed to achieving net zero emissions at major ports by 2047, said Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday. During an interaction with students of the Blue MBA Executive Programme at Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Sonowal outlined India's strategy to transform its maritime infrastructure through flagship initiatives like the Sagarmala Programme and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. "These efforts aim to build modern, multimodal logistics systems w ...Read More >
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has charged five individuals, including goldy Brar, in relation to the 2024 Gurugram club bombing plot, as revealed in a recently filed chargesheet. This case involves a conspiracy to bomb two clubs, aiming to disrupt communal harmony in Haryana, with the banned terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) implicated. The NIA's investigation highlights the severity of the plot. Those charged include satinderjit Singh (Goldy Brar), Sachin Talian, Ankit, Bhavish, and Randeep Singh. News Directory 3 provides crucial updates on sensitive cases such ...Read More >
This is a Mint Premium article gifted to you. Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: The debate on laboratory-grown meat, dairy, and egg products may soon be settled, with the issue reaching India's apex food regulator, three people aware of the development said. The development comes in the backdrop of concerns about public health, food security and ecological sustainability. While the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put in place a regulatory framework for plant-based protein products, manufacturers and sellers of fermentation-derived and cultivated protein ...Read More >
Haridwar: A woman politician has been arrested for allegedly letting her boyfriend and others repeatedly rape her 13-year-old daughter in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The horrifying crime, which occurred between January and March, was exposed when the minor bravely confided in her father, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrest of the accused. The accused was arrested with her boyfriend and one more. According to police reports, the minor was gang-raped multiple times, often in the presence of her mother. The minor, who had been living with her father following her parents' separat ...Read More >
New Delhi: Three Indian citizens vanished mysteriously in Tehran. Darkness closed in as hope seemed lost. A ruthless Pakistani gang with potential links to ISI snatched them away, casting a shadow of fear. But relentless Indian diplomats refused to back down. Against all odds, a daring rescue mission ignited. Now, the captives are free, and a chilling game of espionage comes to light. The Punjab-based trio - Amritpal Singh from Hoshiarpur, Jaspal Singh from SBS Nagar and Hushnapreet Singh from Sangrur - had landed in Iran on May 1. Promised a clandestine route to Australia via Dubai and Tehra ...Read More >
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 6 (ANI): During the World Environment Day 2025 event held at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel called for collective efforts to transform the Prime Minister's vision of 'Ending Plastic Pollution' into a mass movement. The program, jointly organised by the Forest and Environment Department and the Gujarat Pollution Control Board, was graced by Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mulubhai Bera and Minister of State Shri Mukesh Patel. Also Read | Chinnaswamy Stampede: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Suspends Bengaluru Police ...Read More >
Srinagar: Before towering cranes and cutting-edge engineering transformed the Himalayan landscape, the monumental dream of connecting "Kashmir to Kanyakumari" by rail began with the plodding footsteps of humble mules. This extraordinary backstory underpins the official realization of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL), inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, 2025, a project crowned by the awe-inspiring Chenab Bridge. According to Afcons Infrastructure Limited, the company behind the Chenab Bridge, the earliest and most formidable hurdle wasn't just the design of ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Former head of Air India and chairman of the Railway Board Ashwani Lohani is the new Prime Ministers Museum and Library (PMML) director. The official order for his appointment was issued on Wednesday. A 1980-batch officer of the Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineering (IRSME), Lohani is known for turning around various organisations during his illustrious career. Following his retirement from IRSME service, he joined the GMR Group as the CEO. According to the order dated June 4, his appointment to the post of director, Prime Ministers Museum and Library in the rank and pa ...Read More >
New Delhi: Alleging "blatant misuse" of agencies to defame its leaders, AAP on Thursday questioned why the first information report filed against former Delhi ministers Saurabh Bharadwaj and Satyendar Jain was being kept under wraps and "selective" press notes were being leaked to the media.Bharadwaj, who is Delhi AAP convener, alleged that only two former ministers were named in the case without any reasonable cause while all the officers of the health and public works departments, who were actually responsible for executing the hospital projects, were spared. "Is the FIR so baseless that BJP ...Read More >
VIJAYAWADA: The State government on Friday accorded approvals to a slew of industries. Among those are Krishnapatnam Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), which is set to establish a 350 MW Solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Thamminapatnam and Mommidi villages of SPSR Nellore district with a Rs 1,225 crore investment, creating 575 jobs. Furthermore, the government also waived off a Rs 54 crore extension of time fee, contingent on project completion within two years as per the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy-2024. The government also allocated 22.80 acres at MPSEZ in N ...Read More >
As winter approaches, Coorg, often called the "Scotland of India," offers the perfect retreat for nature lovers. Nestled in the Western Ghats, this hill station promises unforgettable experiences, from trekking Tadiandamol Peak to exploring serene coffee plantations on the Kopatty Trail. Stay at Blyton's Bungalow, an eco-friendly haven, and indulge in stargazing at Nalaknad Palace. For a deeper connection with nature, camp by the Kaveri River or explore the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. Coorg's stunning waterfalls, including Abbey and Iruppu Falls, provide a perfect setting for relaxation, ma ...Read More >
The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024, one of India's largest platforms for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, is set to culminate in its Grand Finale at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee from 11th to 15th December 2024. As part of its 7th edition, SIH 2024 continues to exemplify the vision of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to make India self-reliant and globally competitive through youth empowerment and innovation. He will interact with young innovators at the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2024 on 11th December 2024, at around 4:30 PM, via video con ...Read More >
The Andhra Pradesh government inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Google. The tech giant will launch its operations from Visakhapatnam in the State. Making the announcement at the district collectors' conference on Wednesday, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said HRD Minister Nara Lokesh's efforts have paved the way for this. The MoU was a significant development and would be a game changer. Visakhapatnam is poised for transformative growth, Mr. Naidu said. The chief minister, in ...Read More >
New Delhi, June 8 (SocialNews.XYZ) Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Director General (DG) Paramesh Sivamani inaugurated a new dedicated jetty at Vizhinjam Harbour, Kerala, to enhancing mission readiness for coastal surveillance, an official said on Sunday. The new facility is expected to support faster deployment and turnaround of ICG vessels, adding to the mission readiness for coastal search and rescue, anti-smuggling, and fisheries protection. The new facility is expected to support faster deployment and turnaround of ICG vessels, adding to the mission readiness for coastal search and rescue, ant ...Read More >
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 17 (PTI) CPI(M) MP and former Kerala Minister K Radhakrishnan on Tuesday attributed the non-availability of an ambulance to transport a tribal woman's body to a failure by lower-level officials and assured appropriate action against those responsible. Radhakrishnan said the state has "sufficient facilities and systems in place" to handle such situations, but incidents like this occur when officials fail allegedly to act promptly. "The state government will intervene effectively in the matter. Appropriate action will be taken against those who failed to perform their d ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): On the occasion of World Environment Day, a website, "Discover Green Hydrogen," was launched by L&T GreenTech. The website focuses on the global clean energy revolution, providing insights, expert analysis, and real-time updates on the rapidly evolving Green Hydrogen industry. Powered by L&T GreenTech, a key division of L&T Energy's Green & Clean Energy Business, the newly launched website reflects L&T's unwavering commitment to sustainability. Also Read | Delhi: High-Level US Team Arrives for Talks on Bilateral Trade Pact With India. This website is designe ...Read More >
Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Thursday took strong action against the police officers allegedly responsible for the Bengaluru stampede, suspending several high-ranking officials, including the city's police commissioner. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also announced a one-man commission to probe the lapses that triggered the deadly stampede. "Cubbon Park Police Station police inspector, station house master, station house officer, ACP, Central Division DCP, cricket stadium in-charge, additional commissioner of police, commissioner of police have been susp ...Read More >