India's Largest Privately Held Coffee Plantation Begins Planting Liberica Saplings As Climate Change Threatens The Future Of Arabica – CoffeeTalk

Kelachandra Coffee is set to significantly enhance its production of Liberica coffee due to increasing demand in the specialty coffee segment. This coffee variety is noted for its resilience against climate challenges and is emerging as a viable alternative to more traditional types. The company operates 15 estates over 6,500 acres located in Karnataka and Kerala, and plans to plant 5,000 Liberica saplings each year as part of its strategy to diversify its product offerings.

Ryana Kuruvilla, the head of people and culture at Kelachandra, observed a rising interest in Liberica coffee, particularly from niche domestic roasters, during a recent visit to one of the estates. Originating from West Africa and introduced to India in the 1970s, Liberica coffee is increasingly recognized as a potential solution to the problems posed by climate change and diseases that impact conventional varieties such as Arabica.

To sustain its growth, Kelachandra has already established forward contracts for 35% of its existing output, with the possibility of exporting depending on the quality scores it receives from international buyers. This reflects a strategic move to capitalize on market opportunities while addressing environmental challenges within the coffee industry.

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