Feb, 10th, 2008 was a red letter day for a majority of coffee farmers in Karnataka. The Districts of Coorg, Chikmagalur and Hassan where ecofriendly shade grown coffee is grown received unexpected early and heavy blossom showers followed by backing showers after a period of three weeks.
This phenomenon of timely blossom showers and subsequent backing showers was not witnessed in more than 30 years. The showers at the right time and in a well spread manner gave hope to a record crop where more than 70% of the Country’s coffee is grown in Karnataka. This ideal moisture regime was supposed to yield bumper crops and the expectation from the farming community was running high.
However, a majority of the farmers overlooked the fact that on day 10 of the blossom opening, both Arabica and Robusta plantations received mild and constant rain right from the morning up to late afternoon. The dense pockets of mist during pollination also added to the misery of farmers.