This scheme is a sub-component of the “Integrated Coffee Development Project During the Medium Term Framework (MTF) Period: Development Support to Stakeholders” implemented by the Coffee Board under the Department of Commerce and Industry. Its primary objective is to improve the quality of coffee produced by growers in the North Eastern Region. This is achieved by facilitating the establishment of infrastructure for quality enhancement and certification. The scheme specifically supports three activities: the supply of baby pulpers, the construction of cement drying yards, and the eco-certification of coffee holdings.
Key Benefits
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Financial Assistance:
The subsidy is provided at 75% of the unit cost for baby pulpers, subject to the lower of either the actual cost of the unit or ₹16,000 per unit.
Eligibility
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Who Can Apply:
The applicant must be a tribal coffee grower. -
Unit Limit:
Each eligible applicant is entitled to receive assistance for only one unit. -
Exclusions:
Applicants who have availed of benefits under the scheme during the XII Plan are not eligible.
Application Process
Mode: Offline
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Beneficiary Identification:
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The Extension Officer identifies eligible tribal growers.
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The applicant fills out the application form in the prescribed format (in duplicate) and submits it along with required land records and a 25% upfront payment of the unit cost.
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Procurement Details:
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If baby pulpers are procured by the State Government or other agencies, beneficiary details and 25% of the unit cost are collected.
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Beneficiary List Compilation:
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The Extension Officer compiles a list of beneficiaries and forwards it to the Deputy Director (Extension), who consolidates regional requirements and forwards them to the Joint Director (Extension), Guwahati.
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Tendering Process:
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The Joint Director (Extension) in Guwahati completes the tender process in accordance with official formalities.
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Financial Sanction and Order Placement:
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Once the tender is completed, financial sanction is obtained from the Competent Authority, and the order is placed with the manufacturer. The manufacturer must supply the baby pulpers by October.
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Inspection and Payment:
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Extension Officers inspect the machinery at the growers’ fields and submit a physical verification report. Based on this, payment is released to the supplier.
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Documents Required
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Proof of Grower’s Registration.
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Land records/possession certificate duly certified by the Village Authority, State Government Authority, or other competent authority (the land records must be in the name of the beneficiary).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is the objective of the scheme?
To upgrade coffee quality by enabling tribal growers to access improved processing equipment and certification infrastructure. -
How are baby pulpers procured?
They are supplied through a tendering process managed by the Joint Director (Extension), Guwahati. -
What is the unit cost and subsidy rate?
The subsidy is 75% of the unit cost, capped at the lower of either the actual unit cost or ₹16,000 per unit. -
Who is eligible to apply?
Only tribal coffee growers in the North Eastern Region are eligible, and each can receive only one unit. -
What happens if the pulper is supplied by another agency?
In that case, the Extension Officer collects beneficiary details along with 25% of the unit cost. -
What is the role of the Deputy Director (Extension)?
The Deputy Director (Extension) consolidates beneficiary details from the villages and forwards them to the Joint Director (Extension), Guwahati. -
What are the key steps after application?
After beneficiary identification, a feasibility survey is conducted, followed by tendering, financial sanction, order placement, and machinery inspection before payment is processed. -
What is the timeline for the supply?
The manufacturer is required to supply the baby pulpers to the growers by October.