Koraput Coffee, Features, Tribal Livelihoods and Government Support

Koraput Coffee from Odisha was featured in kits distributed to delegates and journalists at the 18th BRICS Summit held in New Delhi in September 2026. Marketed under the Tiger Bright brand, the coffee brought attention to tribal farmers and the potential of locally produced agricultural products to reach wider markets.

What Is Koraput Coffee?

Koraput Coffee is a specialty coffee cultivated by tribal farmers in Koraput district of Odisha, in the Eastern Ghats. The region’s coffee cultivation provides livelihood opportunities for local communities and supports the development of a market for regionally produced coffee.

• Coffee is grown mainly in the Nandapur and Machhkund areas of Koraput district.
• The region predominantly cultivates Arabica coffee at elevations of approximately 920-950 metres.
• Coffee plants are grown under the shade of trees such as mango, jackfruit and citrus.
• Ripe coffee cherries are handpicked, processed, dried on raised beds, graded and prepared for marketing.

The Koraput Coffee brand was launched on 11 September 2019 to promote locally grown coffee and improve market access for tribal farmers. In 2024, Koraput Coffee won two Fine Cup Awards under the Coffee Board of India’s Know Your Kaapi programme, in the washed and natural processing categories.

Role of TDCCOL in Koraput Coffee

The Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd. (TDCCOL) supports tribal coffee farmers through:

• Procurement: Collecting coffee from tribal growers.
• Fair prices: Supporting better returns for farmers.
• Direct payments: Facilitating payments into farmers’ bank accounts.
• Value addition: Supporting processing, grading, branding and marketing.

The Coffee Board of India supports post-harvest facilities, including drying yards and pulping units.

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Koraput Coffee and Tribal Livelihoods

• Koraput Coffee is a source of livelihood for tribal farmers in Odisha.
• The Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd. (TDCCOL) supports its procurement and marketing.
• During the 2025-26 season, TDCCOL procured 102.54 metric tonnes of coffee fruit, benefiting around 360 tribal families.

Also Read:- BRICS Summit 2026

Challenges and Way Forward

The long-term development of Koraput Coffee will depend on improving market access, maintaining quality and supporting farmers against agricultural risks.

• Market access: Wider distribution networks and stronger links with domestic and export markets can help farmers reach more buyers.
• Processing infrastructure: Better access to processing, storage and quality-control facilities can reduce post-harvest losses and improve product quality.
• Climate resilience: Sustainable cultivation practices and appropriate technical support can help farmers respond to changing rainfall, temperatures and pest risks.
• Reliable farmer support: Timely procurement, fair prices, access to finance and technical guidance are important for sustaining smallholder participation.