The Andhra Pradesh government has taken a major decision to expand coffee cultivation on a large scale in the Paderu Agency region. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has approved a proposal to increase coffee farming under the Paderu Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA). The project will be implemented in the Paderu Agency areas of Visakhapatnam district, including Chintapalli, Araku Valley, and Paderu.
At present, coffee is cultivated across 2.58 lakh acres in the Paderu ITDA region. The state government now aims to expand this area by an additional one lakh acres over the next five years. Along with expansion, the government has also planned to revive coffee plantations in 75,000 acres where productivity has declined. The total estimated cost of the project is ₹202 crore.
As part of the expansion plan, coffee cultivation will be taken up using the shade plantation method. Out of the proposed one lakh acres, 60,000 acres will be directly developed under shade-grown coffee plantations. Farmers cultivating coffee in the remaining 40,000 acres will also be trained in the same method. Officials explained that coffee plants should not be exposed to direct sunlight and grow best under shade. Trees such as silver oak will be used to provide the required canopy.
The government has also set a target to rejuvenate old and low-yield coffee plantations. Every year, around 15,000 acres will be covered under the rejuvenation programme. These efforts are aimed at improving productivity and restoring income for farmers whose earnings have declined in recent years.
To encourage farmers to take up coffee cultivation, the government is offering strong financial and technical support. Farmers will receive 1,000 coffee saplings per acre free of cost. Each farmer is allowed to cultivate coffee on up to five acres. Officials said coffee plants start yielding after seven years, with an estimated income of up to ₹25,000 per acre annually. This income is expected to remain stable for 40 to 50 years. Farmers are also encouraged to grow intercrops alongside coffee.
Pepper cultivation is being promoted as an intercrop. The government will supply 100 to 200 pepper plants per acre at no cost. Pepper yields are expected to begin after seven years, generating an income of up to ₹30,000 per acre. Pepper vines can be grown under the shade of silver oak trees.
To strengthen post-harvest support, two eco-friendly coffee pulping units are being set up at GK Veedhi and G. Madugula with an investment of ₹7 crore. Farmers will also receive aluminium ladders, baby pulpers, and tarpaulins. In addition, a coffee processing unit will be established at Makavarapalem under the Girijan Cooperative Corporation.
