Overview of Coffee Production in Nepal
Keshav T. Magar
Coffee, a major commodity produced from berries of Coffea species, is dark brown colored, bitter, acidic, and stimulating drink. The red colored berries from the Coffea sp. are picked and processed, which are later dried and roasted (now called as beans)—roasted beans further being brewed with boiling water. The coffee drinks can vary with milk, cream and alcohol with various presentation styles and preferences. With cultivation over 70 nations and grown mainly in the equatorial regions, coffee is a boosting factor for the most country such as Brazil (being the global coffee producer of 35% of the total world production).
Coffee is undoubtedly popular among Nepalese as an important cash crop, and more as a lavish drink in city areas. The coffee is mainly grown in mid hills of Nepal around 40 districts. Mainly arabica (between two common types: robusta and arabica) is being cultivated in Nepal. The altitude ranges from 1000 to 1600 meters which can be termed special/unique as coffee in Nepal grows away from the usual coffee growing belts *beyond 23 degree latitude*. The coffee of Nepal has received the chance to boast itself as the coffee from the Himalayas. Proudly, Nepalese coffee such as “Himalyan Arabica Coffee” has bragged international prizes in International Coffee Contest for its unique taste. Furthermore, the unusual terrains and variation in micro climates, provides the potential in coffee production in Nepal.
The popularity of Nepalese coffee is growing as the Nepal’s reach has even been to Europe. And the main challenge exists in fulfilling the country’s demand and to keep meeting the quality as required.
The problem in coffee production still is in technical knowledge and its deliverance in Nepal, and the others being unable to fulfill the demand of the country’s coffee needs. The commodity still needs the suitable farming system, and previous repetitive and outdated sets of texts and practices are not going to assist in the production. Sadly enough, the problem remains not alone for coffee, but also for other agri. crop production as to mention here. The improvement in any agricultural services delivery has to be swift and thrift. 23 districts have been noted with huge potential in coffee production with area greater than 20000 ha. Mainly three districts Gulmi, Sindhupalchok and Baglung are the highly suitable districts as the coffee growing districts. In current governance, 424 rural municipalities (palikas) have been strongly pointed as the suitable coffee growing areas. The future prospects remain in the rural municipalities to face any challenges or problems in the coffee production.
General reference for Coffee Production | |
Elevation | 700 to 1600 m (varies) |
Rainfall | 1200 to 1500 mm (varies) |
Temperature | 15° to 24° C |
Slope | Gentle to moderate |
Region | Northeast |
Soil | Loamy, pH 6-6.5 |
Main Reference:
- Analysis of Habitat Suitability of Coffee (Coffea arabica) in Nepal: To determine the potential areas for coffee plantation in Nepal. (GoN, 2018)
Selected articles for your interest:
- Acharya, B., & Dhakal, S. C. (2014). Profitability and Major Problems of Coffee Production in Palpa District, Nepal. International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, 2(4), 460–463. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i4.11252
- Acharya, Umesh & Pun, Umed. (2016). Analysis of Nepalese coffee industry: Production and post-harvest issues. Nepalese Horticulture. 11. 66-73.
- Gc, A , Devkota, S , Pandey, A , Ghi̇mi̇re, K . (2019). Analysis of Coffee Subsector of Nepal: Policy and Production Perspective. Black Sea Journal of Agriculture , 2 (4) , 181-185 . Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/bsagriculture/issue/47095/518301
- Ghimire, B. & Sharma, S.. (2015). Economic Significance of Coffee (Coffee Arabica) Production in Parbat District of Nepal. International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development (IJAMAD).
- Gotame, Tek & Budathoki, Kedar. (2005). Research needs on coffee enterprise development in Nepal. 10.13140/RG.2.1.2871.4645.
- Nepal National Sector Export Strategy 2017-2021
- Poudel, H. K., Kattel, R. R., Poudel, M. R., & Khanal, S. (2019). Factors Affecting Coffee Certification Among Rural Farm Households in Nepal. International Journal of Applied Sciences and Biotechnology, 7(1), 69–74. https://doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v7i1.23303
See Also:
- Statistical Information on Nepalese Agriculture 2075/76 (Coffee: Area, Production, and Yield by Districts, 2018/19, Page 60)
- National Tea and Coffee Development Board (NTCDB) (https://www.teacoffee.gov.np)