AP’s Girijan Cooperative sips victory, wins Centre's national award for Araku coffee

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh government’s Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC), a body that helps tribal farmers, has bagged a national award from the Central government for Araku coffee.

Vice chairman and managing director of GCC, Visakhapatnam, G Suresh Kumar received the first prize on behalf of the team at the One District One Product (ODOP) Awards 2023 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on Wednesday, where Union external affairs minister S Jaishankar and commerce minister Piyush Goyal presented the accolade to him.

Crediting success to the GCC staff instrumental in uplifting the tribal coffee farmers, Suresh Kumar said, “During the 2022-23 season, we procured 1,000 tonnes of Arabica parchment and Arabica cherry coffee beans, disbursing Rs. 20.07 crores to our tribal partners in Araku and Chintapalli areas of ASR District.”

Highlighting the popularity of Araku Valley coffee products sourced by GCC for domestic and international markets, Suresh Kumar underscored the significant support received by special GCC Arabica Hot outlets in cities such as Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad, as well as at various airports and railway stations, attracting tourists and consumers.

Competitive market price without middlemen

As part of the fair trade practices, GCC has established competitive market prices: Rs 280 per kg for Arabica parchment coffee beans, Rs 145 per kg for Arabica cherry coffee, and Rs 70 per kg for Robusta cherry coffee.

These prices aim to foster the economic development of tribal communities by eliminating the exploitation often associated with middlemen.

Extending help to tribal farmers

The GCC has consistently achieved positive results in the collection and sale of coffee beans from tribals in recent years.

In the 2022-23 coffee season, approximately 1,000 tonnes of Arabica parchment and Arabica cherry coffee beans were purchased, with Rs 20.07 crores disbursed to tribal coffee farmers. Additionally, GCC is actively supporting coffee farmers in obtaining organic certification, with 3,900 farmers in the agency area receiving certification.

GCC extends support to tribal farmers by providing loans, offering competitive prices, and crediting funds within 24 hours, attracting significant interest from the tribal farming community.

Coffee processing centre in the pipeline

To boost further growth, the GCC is in the process of establishing an integrated coffee processing centre in Daunur, Koyyuru mandal, with a substantial investment of Rs 4 crores. This advanced facility will process coffee seeds collected from tribal farmers, contributing to the production of high-quality coffee powder.

The MD emphasised that the collaboration between GCC and tribal coffee farmers will play a pivotal role in fostering economic development.