How Is Coffee Cultivation Done And What Are The Conditions

Throughout all planting agriculture, Coffee Cultivation has started to attract farmers worldwide due to its high demand in the market and the health benefits it provides. This article will discuss how to cultivate coffee and what steps to adopt for successful farming.

What Are The Climate Requirements For Coffee Cultivation

Tempurature, Rainfall And Humidity For Coffee cultivation

The ideal range of coffee cultivation requires a temperature of 20 degrees Celcius to 27 degrees Celsius. Coffee is mainly cultivated in the southern states of India, such as Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. Karnataka is the hub producer of coffee, and approximately 70 % of coffee is grown in Karnataka. This region usually has rainfall of 60 to 70 inches annually and moisture levels of around 70 to 80 per cent, which is appropriate for coffee to grow healthy.

Shadow of Trees Around The Coffee Plant

Having shade of trees around the coffee plant gives many benefits. Like trees help keep the temperature cool around the plant, they Reduce soil temperature by protecting plants from direct sunlight; trees play a crucial role in maintaining the humidity level around the plant; they also break down the strong breeze of air and shelter coffee plants from heavy rainfall. One significant benefit of having trees around the coffee plant is that they naturally increase soil fertility by shedding branches and leaves.

What is Topography In The Coffee Cultivation And Why Is It Necessary

Topography is the most effective technique in coffee cultivation. It benefits the overall growth and quality of coffee. Here is a brief explanation of why topography is vital.

Topography Benefits	Discription
Elevation	Coffee such as arabica produces high-quality yield due to the cool temperature and high humidity at 800 to 1600 meters above sea level. As the cooler temperatures result in slow maturation, complex flavours tend to develop in coffee.
Adequate Drainage	High slopes provide an adequate flow of water around the field and avoid blockage, which helps avoid diseases caused by excess humidity like fungus.
High Qualty Soil	Coffee cultivation requires soil highly rich in nutrients; due to the well-drained volcanic soil present at high slopes, the quality of coffee yield is high in flavour.
Economic Benefits	Coffee cultivation requires an intensive labour force on high slopes, which creates job opportunities.

Planting of Seeds In Coffee Cultivation

Several steps must be followed carefully to ensure successful germination of seeds. Here, we will discuss the planting process and different methods that can be used.

Step1 :- Selection Of Seed

Choose a high-quality seed for the plantation. Before planting it in the soil, it is advisable to soak the seed in the water for at least 24 hours; it will help in better germination. In addition to protecting seeds from disease, fungicides can be applied.

Step 2 :- Germination of Coffee Seed

Help the seed grow by providing a mixture of manure and natural compost in the soil with appropriate ratio. Sow the seeds in the soil, 2 to 2.5 cm apart, then cover them with soil on the top for moisture.

Step 3 :- Management of Seeds Germination

The germination lasts about 30 to 50 days, so regular watering is necessary to grow and maintain moisture. We must also avoid giving excess water to the soil; it can result in soggy soil and stress germination. Avoiding direct sunlight on the seeds using some shade or poly house structure is also crucial.

Step 4 :- Transplanting of Seeds

When seeds reach the size of a matchstick state, it is now ready to transplant in the field. Make sure to water the seed bags throughout and plant them in the soil in an upright direction. The field soil value should also be highly nutrient-rich, with a pH of 5 to 6.

Step 5 :- Managing Transplant

Apply mulch around the planted coffee seeds in the field to maintain moisture. Adding NPK fertilizer to the soil is also mandatory for coffee seeds’ constant growth until they mature.

Some farmers expect to grow coffee plants in container bags and by hydroponic systems to deliver nutrients to the seeds and produce high-quality yields properly.

How to Maintain The Coffee Plant After Germination(Pruning, Pest And Diseases)

• Pruning :- After successful germination, the coffee plant thrives to grow in proper air circulation and a healthy state. It is vital to perform regular pruning when needed for proper airflow throughout the plant.
• Pest and Disease :- Observe the plant for pests and diseases that can stress leaves and threaten its growth and coffee yield.

How is Harvesting Done in Coffee Cultivation And What Are The Type Of Methods

In India, two coffee seeds are grown: arabica and robusta. Here, we will discuss the harvest period and various methods that can be used to harvest seeds.

Harvesting Methods	Description	Advantages	Disadvantages
Hand Picking	This method is done by labour by handpicking the ripened coffee seeds and leaving the unripened seed for the future to harvest.	This method ensures high-quality coffee.	Expensive labour, less quality control, labour challenges and geographical limitation.
Stripping	The stripping method can be done manually or mechanically. Both techniques involve detaching ripened and unripe cherries from the branches with the help of a picker and machine.	Quick, harvesting, less labour and higher yield.	Low-quality cherries, mixing of unripe and ripened cherries and production of low-quality beans.
Mechanical	This method is generally used in the commercial field with a large number of coffee plants. This method collects well-ripened cherries by applying a certain vibration speed and frequency in the machine.	Efftective in large scale field, quick in harvesting and harvesting of high quality cherries	Only useful in flat fields, High initial setup cost and risk of damaging trees.

Conclusion

Cultivating coffee is a farming practice requiring attention to small details to ensure plant health and effective growth. This article discusses all the essential factors we need to know about coffee cultivation. The primary reason for the unsuccessful cultivation is the need for more knowledge. Coffee farmers often need help choosing the geographical area, planting techniques and essential chemicals to avoid pests and diseases. Coffee cultivation is highly beneficial if cultivated effectively.