This scheme is a sub-component of the “Integrated Coffee Development Project During the Medium Term Framework (MTF) Period: Development Support to Stakeholders” by the Coffee Board under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Its objective is to encourage coffee growers in traditional areas to improve the quality and marketability of their coffee by obtaining eco-certifications and organic certifications. By adhering to recognized sustainability and quality standards, growers can access high-value specialty markets and receive higher returns for their produce.
Objectives
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Quality Enhancement:
To improve the quality of coffee through eco-certification, ensuring better traceability, social, environmental, and financial conditions. -
Market Access:
Enable growers to tap into high-value specialty markets by producing certified coffee. -
Collective Strength:
Encourage small growers to form groups or collectives for eco-certification, paving the way for future common facility development.
Benefits
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Certification Subsidy:
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Organic Certification:
75% of the certification cost, spread over 3 years or the conversion period (whichever is shorter during the MTF period). -
Other Eco-Certifications:
75% of the certification cost for one year during the MTF period.
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Additional Support for SC/ST Growers:
Individual coffee growers from the SC/ST community (with holdings up to 4.00 hectares) are eligible for an additional subsidy, with a maximum of ₹55,000 per grower during the MIDH period. -
Scope:
The subsidy applies only as backend support to growers who obtain certification for their estates under standards such as Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird Friendly/Shade Grown, or any equivalent certification program.
Eligibility
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Applicant Type:
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Individual coffee growers owning up to 10 hectares, or groups of small growers (SHGs/collectives) who obtain certification for their coffee estates.
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Certification Requirement:
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Certification must be obtained from accredited Certification Agencies as per the relevant certification programs.
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For organic certification, the estates must meet the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards, even if other international standards are also met.
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Geographical Scope:
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The scheme is targeted at coffee growers in traditional areas, with non-tribal coffee growers in non-traditional areas (with holdings up to 10 hectares) also eligible.
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Application Process
Mode: Offline
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Submission:
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After obtaining certification from an accredited agency, the grower or group must complete the prescribed application form (in duplicate) available in the guidelines.
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Document Submission:
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Submit the completed application form along with all required documents to the jurisdictional Coffee Board office within the same financial year as certification completion.
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Verification:
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The relevant JLO/SLO will scrutinize the submitted documents and conduct field inspections to verify the accuracy of records.
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Approval:
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The claim, along with a Physical Verification Report and other records, is forwarded to the Deputy/Joint Director for final approval.
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Disbursement:
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Once approved, the subsidy is disbursed directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through the National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT).
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Documents Required
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Application Form:
Completed in duplicate (as per prescribed format). -
Identity and Registration Proof:
Proof of identity and, for groups, the registration certificate of the growers’ collective/SHG. -
Certification Documents:
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Copy of the certification issued by the accredited Certification Agency.
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Original invoice or cash bill for the certification cost.
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Land Ownership Proof:
Land documents such as Patta/Khatha Extract, Record of Rights (RTC), or relevant local land documents depending on the state (e.g., Chitta & Adangal in Tamil Nadu, Land Possession Certificate in Kerala). -
Bank Details:
Copy of the bank passbook or cancelled cheque (preferably Aadhaar-seeded) showing account details. -
Additional Certificates (if applicable):
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SC/ST certificates for eligible growers.
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Any other documents as specified in the guidelines.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What certifications are eligible for subsidy?
The scheme supports certifications under Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird Friendly/Shade Grown, or equivalent programs. -
Can non-tribal coffee growers in non-traditional areas apply?
Yes, non-tribal coffee growers with holdings up to 10 hectares are eligible. -
What is the subsidy period for organic certification?
The subsidy for organic certification is spread over 3 years or the conversion period, whichever is shorter. -
Are there additional benefits for SC/ST growers?
Yes, individual SC/ST growers with holdings up to 4 hectares may receive an additional subsidy (up to a maximum of ₹55,000). -
What documents are required for claiming the subsidy?
Key documents include the application form, identity and registration proofs, certification documents, land ownership records, bank passbook details, and any applicable community certificates. -
How is the subsidy disbursed?
Subsidies are released via NEFT after verification and approval by the Coffee Board. -
Is there a deadline for application submission?
Applications must be submitted in the same financial year as the certification is obtained. -
Where can growers obtain the application form?
The application form is available in the scheme guidelines and on the official Coffee Board website.