The Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas: Water Augmentation 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, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The scheme’s objective is to improve the production and productivity of coffee plantations by promoting water augmentation in traditional coffee-growing areas.
Benefits
• Scale of Subsidy: 40% of the unit cost, with a ceiling of ₹2,50,000 per beneficiary for all water augmentation components.
• Additional Support: Coffee growers from the SC/ST community with holdings up to 4.00 hectares are eligible for an extra 10% subsidy (capped at ₹2,50,000).
• Mode of Payment: Subsidy is released via EFT/RTGS/NEFT after claim approval by the Deputy Director (Extn).
Open Well/Ring Well
• Unit Cost: ₹75,000 per unit; Subsidy: ₹30,000
Note: Growers may choose water storage structures of any dimension or purchase irrigation equipment based on actual cost; subsidy is applicable based on the unit cost for the respective holding size or actual cost, whichever is lower.
Eligibility
• Available to individual growers, joint owners, or family members applying jointly (restricted to mother, father, wife, and children).
• Eligible coffee holdings: Up to 10 hectares.
• Applicable for both traditional areas and non-tribal coffee growers in Non-Traditional Areas.
Subsidy Applicability & Conditions
• Subsidy covers:
(a) Water harvesting structures (water storage tanks, open wells, or ring wells)
(b) Irrigation equipment (sprinkler or drip systems)
• Only one combination of a water harvesting structure and an irrigation equipment can be availed during the MTF period.
• A grower cannot avail the subsidy for the same activity more than once during the MTF period unless new beneficiaries are added.
• Subsidy claim is not allowed if the beneficiary has received a similar subsidy within the past 10 years (eligibility resumes from the 11th year).
• Infrastructure must be constructed within the coffee estate or in its vicinity on land held in the name of the grower or immediate family.
Application Process
Online Process
• Step 1: Visit the official Coffee Board website/portal.
• Step 2: Click on “Online Services” and then “Subsidy” to access the application form.
• Step 3: Complete the Application Form by filling in all mandatory fields and uploading the required documents in the specified format and size.
• Step 4: Review your submission, agree to the terms and conditions, and click “Submit” to send your application. You will receive a confirmation message.
• Step 5: The jurisdictional Coffee Board office will scrutinize the documents and conduct a field inspection.
• Step 6: Upon successful inspection and verification, a Technical Feasibility Report (TFR) will be issued.
• Step 7: To claim the subsidy, submit the claim in the prescribed format (in duplicate) along with all necessary documents to the Coffee Board office.
• Step 8: After document scrutiny, field inspection, and verification by the Deputy Director (Extn), the subsidy amount is released directly to the applicant’s bank account.
Documents Required
For Obtaining Feasibility Report:
• Application & Self Declaration (duly filled, signed, duplicate)
• Aadhaar Card
• Proof of Land Ownership (e.g., Patta, Khatha Extract, Land Possession Certificate, etc. as applicable per state)
• Self-prepared Estate Sketch (with clearly demarcated boundaries and proposed activity site, signed)
• Quotation for purchase of machinery/equipment
• Plan & Estimation for water storage tank/open well/ring well
• Registered GPA copy (if applicable)
• Caste Certificate (for SC/ST growers)
• Bank Pass Book copy (preferably Aadhaar-seeded)
For Claiming Subsidy:
• Claim Statement in prescribed format (duplicate)
• Original Invoice/Bill with Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) for irrigation equipment purchase
• Self-prepared Work Completion Report and Fund Utilization Certificate (signed)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the minimum depth recommended for an open well/ring well?
A: The scheme specifies a 30 feet depth for open well/ring well activities.
Q: Can growers choose to execute water storage structures of any dimension?
A: Yes, growers have the flexibility to design water storage structures as per their requirement, subject to subsidy limits based on unit costs.
Q: What is the unit cost for sprinkler/drip irrigation equipment for different holding sizes?
A: The unit cost varies by the size of the holding, ranging from ₹60,000 for up to 1.00 hectare to ₹580,000 for holdings greater than 9 up to 10 hectares, with corresponding subsidy amounts.
Q: How is the subsidy amount released to beneficiaries?
A: After verification, the eligible subsidy is sanctioned by the Deputy Director (Extn) and released directly to the bank account via EFT, RTGS, or NEFT.
Q: Is there additional support for the SC/ST community?
A: Yes, coffee growers from the SC/ST community with holdings up to 4.00 hectares are eligible for an extra 10% subsidy.
Q: What documents are required to obtain a Feasibility Report?
A: Required documents include the Application & Self Declaration, Aadhaar Card, Proof of Land Ownership, a Sketch of the Estate, relevant Quotations, and other supporting documents as specified.
Q: What should growers ensure before commencing any activities?
A: Growers must obtain the Technical Feasibility Report (TFR) before starting any activities; work commenced prior to TFR issuance is not eligible for subsidy claims.
Q: Are non-tribal coffee growers in Non-Traditional Areas eligible?
A: Yes, non-tribal coffee growers in Non-Traditional Areas with holdings up to 10 hectares are eligible.
Q: When can a grower reapply for the same water augmentation activity?
A: A grower who has benefited from a particular water augmentation activity within the past 10 years is not eligible to reapply for the same activity until the 11th year.
Q: Can a grower combine subsidies for different water augmentation activities?
A: Yes, the subsidy may be availed for one water harvesting structure combined with one irrigation equipment, based on the holding category.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for this subsidy?
A: Eligible applicants include individual growers, joint owners, or family members (limited to immediate family) with coffee holdings up to 10 hectares.