SYLLABUS SECTION: GS III (ECONOMY)
WHY IN NEWS?
The Centre plans to repeal the existing 80-year old Forth Draft Coffee Act and has proposed a new “Coffee (Promotion and Development Bill), 2022” to promote development of the Indian coffee
- Through a new law, the government aims to modernize the functioning of the Coffee Board of India that is responsible for boosting production and the quality of Indian coffee, push exports and support the development of the domestic market.
- Under the 1942 Act, Coffee Board had the power to control the marketing, regulate sale in both local and global markets
KEY PROVISIONS OF THE BILL
- Expanding the mandates of the Forth Draft Coffee Board by including new functions like support for production, research, extension, quality improvement and the promotion of coffee and skill development of coffee growers.
- Holistic promotion and development of coffee industry
- Protecting the interests of the labour in plantations, processing units and coffee communities.
- Promoting ease of doing business by simplifying documentation and procedures, including replacing the existing five-year validity of Registration cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) with a one-time exporter registration and bringing in a one-time registration of curing units.
ABOUT COFFEE PLANTATION IN INDIA
- Coffee plant requires hot and humid climate with temperature varying between 15°C and 28 °C and rainfall from 150 to 250 cm.
- Coffee in India is traditionally grown in the rainforests of the Western Ghats in South India mainly produced in Karnataka (highest), Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
- India ranks 6th among the world’s 80 coffee-producing countries.
Read more: UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS
SOURCE: BUSINESS STANDARD