Mr. Bhola kumar Shrestha
CoPP, Helvetas Swiss, Intercooperation in Nepal
 

Abstract

Coffee, the second largest commodity next to petroleum products traded in the world market, is produced in more than 70 countries. Total production in the world was 131 million bags (60 kg each) in 2012 (www.ico.org). The demand for organic coffee in the world market is increasing day by day. Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru are the world leaders in organic coffee production. Honduras is the highest exporter of organic coffee in the world market.
Coffee entered Nepal from Burma in 1939 AD. It has been extended to about 39 districts in the mid hills of Nepal. It has significant potential as export commodity. More than 27000 small growers are involved in coffee cultivation in about 1758 ha of land with a production of 418 tons of green bean in 2012. The export of Nepali organic coffee is in increasing trend. Demand outstrips supplies. Nepali coffee has Specialty Quality with cup testing score of 82-86 percent. Coffee production has higher benefit. The benefit from coffee is 4.33 times more than maize production and 1.87 times higher than maize followed by millet cultivation of crop rotation cycle. Intercropping of coffee with banana and coffee with ginger is far better than sole maize cultivation.
Coffee can be a good export commodity f we can address various factors like strengthening support on research, white stem borer management and value addition with maintaining quality consistency.
Other factors like policy reframing is also important for coffee sub-sector development.