DIFFUSION OF HIGH YIELDING VARIETY OF COFFEE: A STUDY OF CHANDRAGIRI VARIETY IN KARNATAKA, INDIA

Abstract

With a view to address the issue of decline in the yield of Arabica coffee on account of various factors, the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) in India introduced Chandragiri variety. This study examines the diffusion pattern of Chandragiri variety amongst the coffee growers and the factors underlying the observed pattern. The field survey conducted in three major coffee growing regions in Karnataka (Chickmagalur, Hassan and Kodagu) showed that about 50 per cent of the sample growers have adopted Chandragiri variety, albeit with a notable interregional variation. The extent of adoption is found to be the highest in Chickmaglur (61%) followed by Kodagu (55%) and Hassan (33%). Regarding the pattern of adoption, most of the growers have partially adopted (91%) the variety with full adoption being as low as 9%. An econometric analysis using logistic regression has identified certain factors underlying the observed pattern and provided plausible direction for future policy interventions for upscaling the adoption of the variety. The study also brings out certain important concerns in the adoption of the variety relating to yield level, management of diseases, labour shortage, seed provision at subsidised rates, strengthening the extension support and IT enabled information delivery services, setting up of testing labs, revamping the marketing and trade support systems for increasing the share of small coffee producers in the value chain.