Are planters in Kodagu being cheated by traders in the guise of ‘out-turn tests’ to deny remunerative price for coffee?
The situation has turned so serious that the planters have submitted a memorandum to the deputy commissioner and the Coffee Board.
Out-turn is the quantity of total produce obtained after processing. In the absence of a uniform and reliable testing mechanism, traders cheat gullible planters and offer low prices. Moreover, the results of the quality check vary from trader to trader, adding to the woes of the planters.
Further, the out-turn test of the crop is affected by many factors such as erratic rains, non-flowering of buds, improper quantity of fertilisers and the nature of soil, etc.
Also, the buyers do not purchase coffee, if the moisture content is more than 13 per cent. If the coffee is over dried, that would result in the reduction of out-turn.
Members of Farmers Welfare and Recreation Club of Nelaji village alleged that the traders were harassing the growers, under the guise of out-turn test. The Club has submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner and the Coffee Board. The Club has urged the government to provide specific guidelines to the Coffee Board towards the issue.
Stop this malpractice
This article is about quality.Fine.This is one side story and the other side is,the growers are not only just interested in quality but also in quantity and the cost.unless it is balanced,no industry can survive.
The very purpose of grading the coffee beans only to balance it.The 1st grade gets the very best price and subsequent grade will follow according to the quality. Overall the helpless growers gets the lowest price and dealers gets the best price.Finally consumers will pay the fancy price.