Coffee Board of India: The Complete Guide Every Coffee Brand Must Read
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Amongst multiple successful coffee brands in India, have you ever wondered who makes sure that your cup of coffee meets the global standards? It is the Coffee Board of India that not only makes sure that your coffee is nurtured, tested, and certified, but also empowers the entire ecosystem of growers, exporters, and brands who want to brew their own coffee story.
Originally established to expedite every aspect of coffee cultivation, the Coffee Board of India monitors research, quality, and the export of coffee, standing as the backbone of India’s coffee industry. Whether by nurturing new brands through training or ensuring that farmers obtain global-standard certifications for export, the Coffee Board of India stands as the ultimate institution dedicated to nurturing the country’s coffee story.
Having said that, if you are a coffee entrepreneur, knowing the intricacies of the Coffee Board of India, its ecosystem of opportunities, export data, lab certifications, or packaging guidelines is important for knowing the difference between staying local and going global. Moreover, it does not matter if you are a cafe owner, exporter, or a budding coffeepreneur; having a guide to how the Coffee Board of India works will allow you to have a clearer distinction on its initiatives, opportunities, and how you can work alongside the Coffee Board of India to build your ultimate coffee foundation.
In this blog, WeBrandCoffee aims to give you an overview of the strategic spectrum you can take advantage of and improve your brand presence by turning the certifications into a legitimate brand distinction and recognition.
What is the Coffee Board of India, and how does it regulate coffee production in India?
To begin with, the Coffee Board of India stands as a statutory government organisation which was established in 2942 under the Coffee Act VII of 1942. Functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, the primary aim behind forming the Coffee Board of India was to not only promote, regulate and strengthen India’s coffee industry but also to serve as a developmental and promotional body.
To cover the Coffee Board India role, you can say that the Coffee Board of India monitors and manages every factor of coffee value. Be it cultivation, quality control, export facilitation or brand promotions, the Coffee Board of India makes sure that every small and large producer of coffee in India receives adequate technical as well as financial guidance.
While the headquarters of the Coffee Board of India lies in Bengaluru, you can find its regional offices across the major coffee-growing states of India, such as Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Having these regional offices ensures that the major functions of coffee production are regulated effectively across the regions. What functions?
Well, the Coffee Board of India is responsible for regulating a series of major functions that are essential for a much smoother coffee production in India.
Let us have an overview of what functions and how the Coffee Board of India regulates them!
- Registration and licensing
The first and foremost part of a smooth coffee production regulation is to maintain a registry of coffee growers, curers, traders, as well as exporters. Hence, the Coffee Board of India makes sure that the registry follows transparency and quality compliance to begin with.
- Research and development
The next step in making sure that coffee production is regulated systematically is to set up relevant research stations. To cater to the same, the Coffee Board of India has multiple research stations which are backed by sustainable cultivation approach, pest control, and new coffee varieties which are well suited for the Indian climate.
- Quality and grading
Another way by which the Coffee Board of India regulates coffee production in India is by maintaining a set quality standard and further grading it. This gets carried out by setting monitors for measuring the bean quality, curing, and grading. This step in regulation is of utmost importance as it makes sure that Indian coffee beans match the international benchmarks and open the gates for export.
- Market and export regulations
As a regulating body for coffee cultivation, the Coffee Board of India also indulges in collecting the relevant export data and provides market intelligence, while supporting the exporters with the right documentation and logistics assistance.
- Training and education
A major part of efficient coffee regulation in India is the various courses and workshops that the Coffee Board of India conducts for growers, entrepreneurs, and baristas. These courses are often focused on improving both the production as well as branding knowledge, which allows growing coffee producers to maintain their authenticity and sustainability throughout.
In addition to this, the role of the Coffee Board of India can be seen as both a guardian of coffee quality and a growth catalyst for the budding coffee growers by helping them compete on a global basis through institutional strength and quality-certified products.
Does the Coffee Board of India encourage innovation and sustainability in coffee farming?
Yes, the Coffee Board of India is developed on the pillars of innovation and sustainability. When established, the Coffee Board of India began with focusing more on coffee regulation and export control; essentially, the Board today stands as an overall developmental catalyst which not only helps farmers, entrepreneurs, and exporters get used to the rapidly changing climates, market demands, as well as the global sustainability goals.
For example, the Coffee Board of India made sure to uplift the once low-yielding tribal coffee farming region of Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh, through its efforts in innovation and sustainability through the years 2001 to 2005.
The Coffee Board of India not only integrated organic farming practices and soil enrichment programs but also engaged the locals in training regarding eco-friendly pest management under the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP). Needless to say, the training focused on 15,000 hectares of coffee plantation resulted in the improvement of yields by 20 to 25 % which in turn made the farmers receive a much higher price comparatively and opened gates for Araku coffee to be exported to more than 15 countries today under its own premium label.
Talking about the Coffee Board of India’s contribution to the innovation factor, we must highlight that the Board has recognised the potential of India as the sixth-largest coffee producer in the world. To move ahead with this potential and continue being competitive on the global bar, the Coffee Board of India has been focused on investing in quality research, technology adoption that is backed by productivity enhancement under the Central Coffee Research Institute( CCRI), which is situated in Balehonnur, Karnataka, as well as six other regional research stations across the country.
The Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) made sure that they not only focus on innovation development but also distribute new coffee varieties to the growers so that the beans are more pest and disease-resistant to begin with. Apart from that, when we talk about the innovation factor, the Coffee Board of India has launched climate-resilient cultivars, which aim at adapting to the rising temperatures as well as unpredictable rainfall. This improved cultivation technique allows the coffee growers to focus on soil health, shade management, and well-distributed irrigation.
Hence, under soil and water conservation programs of the Coffee Board of India, such as the Rejuvenation of Small Coffee Holdings, they aim at working alongside the farmers for soil testing, water harvesting structures, and other contour planting techniques. Moreover, the Coffee Board of India has also collaborated with various international bodies as well as NGOs for the efficient promotion of shade-grown and carbon-positive coffee production innovation, through which we can not only preserve forest canopies but also maintain a sustainable biodiversity.
Hence, as a result of the combined effort through various innovation models and sustainable programs, the Coffee Board of India has reported over 38% of Indian coffee farms as sustainable and shade-based cultivated farms in the year 2023. With such an achievement, the Coffee Board of India works towards more success, for which the next phase of innovation focuses on introducing branding, storytelling, as well as traceability technology, where agencies such as WeBrandCoffee work alongside as the creative team to transform our certified coffee into a brand that is globally loved.
What are the Coffee Board initiatives that support coffee businesses?
So is it all about sustainability and innovation for the farms and growers? Well, no, the Coffee Board of India works as a government body that is focused on giving an all-round nurturing and empowerment to the smallholder farmers and emerging coffee entrepreneurs with an aim of increasing the growth of the Indian coffee sector.
So, be it cultivation, research, quality assurance, entrepreneurship, export promotion, or branding, the Coffee Board of India acts as your ultimate support at each stage through its multi-layered initiatives.
How? Let us have an overview of the same initiatives that aim at directly supporting the various growing coffee businesses in India!
- Coffee Development Programs and Schemes:
To begin with, the Coffee Board of India has a series of financial as well as technical assistance schemes which is focused on strengthening your coffee value in the global market. Such schemes and programs include the Rejuvenation and Technology Upgradation Scheme, which not only supports old and underproductive coffee plantations but also their replantation, irrigation, and mechanisation.
Apart from this, the developmental programs also include the Quality Upgradation Scheme, Market Access and Export Promotion Scheme, and Sustainable Coffee Development Programme, which collectively have benefited over 3 lakh coffee growers, out of which about 90% are small and tribal farmers by the year 2023.
- Training and capacity-building initiatives
The Coffee Board of India always preaches that it is knowledge that drives innovation, and following the same, the Board has launched a series of training and certification programs through the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI). These training programs comprise of Coffee Training Centre (CTC) and the Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (EDP), which are essentially designed by keeping in mind startups so that they get a hands-on experience on roasting, brewing, cupping, and other coffee business-related technicalities.
The objective of such initiatives is to urge the youth participation and also support women-led entrepreneurship in the coffee business.
- Quality assurance, certifications and lab support
Amongst the training programs and schemes, another initiative that the Coffee Board of India takes in supporting coffee businesses is by helping the entrepreneurs meet and maintain the quality and consistency of their beans as per the international standards. Now, to achieve that, the Coffee Board of India carries forward multiple Quality Evaluation Centres (QECs) across the regions of Bengaluru, Chikkamagaluru, and Coonoor. This allows them to grade, cup, and sample through various analyses.
Moreover, such analysis is done through residue testing laboratories to make sure that the standards align with the EU and US guidelines.
Moreover, the Coffee Board of India also provides you with certificates of origin as well as other export-related documentation, along with support for organic and geographical indication (GI), so that your beans are traceable, credible, and globally accepted.
- Packing, branding and marketing development
Another such support that the Coffee Board of India provides is by helping you present your brand ideas in a more refined manner. The Board allows you to promote your coffee effectively through initiatives such as India Coffee Branding Initiatives, Coffee Santhe and Coffee Pavilions, which mark guidelines for your packaging standards through which you can effectively promote domestic coffee consumption under the campaigns such as India Loves Coffee and collaborations with cafe chains as well as baristas.
In addition to these, the initiatives of the Coffee Board of India go as far as export promotion and global market intelligence, which supports you for trade and market-related linkages alongside innovation support, R&D support, as well as public-private partnerships with farmers, exporters, and brand builders such as WeBrandCoffee. So, be it the structure of the programs or the various initiatives, a well-rounded growth comes from a well-strategised implementation of creativity, strategy, and storytelling.
What benefits do you get from partnering with the Coffee Board of India?
As we discussed earlier, the Coffee Board of India stands as an overall ecosystem of coffee growth and innovation, so when it comes to the benefits, it is essential to discuss who can leverage the Coffee Board of India and its various initiatives.
You can either be a farmer, roaster, cafe brand, exporter, or a startup owner. For you, the Coffee Board of India would stand as a medium that connects you to research, funding, skill development, and other global market opportunities that you would need to grow in the coffee market.
What benefits, though? Here is a list of various benefits you get by partnering with the Coffee Board of India:
- You get access to the most advanced research and innovation from the Central Coffee Research Institute ( CCRI)
- You get financial support and subsidies to manage your capital challenges
- You get professionally trained and certified in various skill development
- You get access to the global market and export facilitation
- You get the opportunity for branding, marketing and other networking opportunities
Apart from these, the benefits of working alongside the Coffee Board of India go beyond the technicalities, as you get the ultimate and priceless opportunity to connect and collaborate with a community that is just as passionate as you are.
Can you face challenges by relying solely on the Coffee Board of India?
There is no doubt that the Coffee Board of India stands as a pivot for the country’s coffee ecosystem, be it in terms of research or export support. Having said that, the business sector has been evolving daily with new challenges, and it is evident that a body will be unable to meet every demand of such a modern coffee brand or business.
While the Coffee Board of India does have a well-operating agricultural, regulatory, as well as developmental structure, the model also has certain gaps as per the new challenges that emerge daily.
These gaps can be found in branding, digital presence, consumer engagement, or even in global competitiveness. So, when there are such gaps, how does it impact you?
Here are a few challenges that you will face as a result of these gaps if you are solely relying on the Coffee Board of India:
- Market speed
You must understand that the Coffee Board of India is a government body where the models work on a procedural cycle, which does make you move slower than the market trends.
- Limited branding
If you are not partnered with a coffee branding agency like WeBrandCoffee, depending solely on the Board will limit your consumer outreach opportunities, as they do not provide individual brand-building support or other services of digital marketing, content creation, or social media strategy.
- Limited accessibility
Even though the Coffee Board of India operates at around 14 locations, if you are a small roaster, you might find it time-consuming, as direct access for physical verification is an additional logistics hurdle for you.
Apart from this, the Coffee Board of India does not assist you in positioning your products in the international market. Hence, if you’re solely relying on the Coffee Board of India, then you might limit your personal growth. While the Coffee Board does help your coffee grow, having a creative, market-facing partnership is essential to grow uniformly.
How does WeBrandCoffee build on the Coffee Board of India’s authority?
While the Coffee Board of India does stand as a guardian for learning, and beginning to grow in a market that demands storytelling and competition, you do need a coffee branding agency to effectively transform and build a foundation for your brand.
WeBrandCoffee has been closely working with the Coffee Board to help brands thrive, experience and build their own identity in the market.
Here is how WeBrandCoffee helps build your brand:
- Branding and identity design
- Packaging as per brand guidelines and standards
- Digital branding and social media strategy
- Content and copy for your brand story
- Brand positioning
Additionally, WeBrandCoffee helps give your brand the character, connection, and commercial appeal and completes what Coffee Board begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the Coffee Board of India have an overseas office?
No, the Coffee Board of India does not have any overseas office; however, it has a network of regional offices within India. If you are dealing with export and overseas markets, then contact the Export Section of the Coffee Board of India, Bengaluru.
- Where can I find the Coffee Board application form?
You can find the Coffee Board application form on their official website under the “Composite Application Form for Issues of Export permit and Certificate of Origin” in the PDF format.
- How to have the Coffee board permit login for export?
To get the coffee board permit login for export, first register yourself as an exporter with the Coffee Board of India through their Registration-cum-Membership Certificate( RCMC), then go to the e-permit portal to download your Certificates of Origin( ICO) after completing all required documentation before logging in to apply for a permit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Coffee Board of India stands as the ultimate body for coffee regulation in India. Be it for connecting farmers, entrepreneurs, or exporters, the body works diligently for uplifting and giving recognition to all coffee enthusiasts.
The Coffee Board of India makes sure that your coffee is not only grown sustainably but also stands right there competing with the global brands.
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