Question

Major coffee-producing state of India is –
A. Kerala
B. Tamil Nadu
C. Karnataka
D. Andhra Pradesh

Answer 1

Hint: Indian coffee is said to be the finest coffee that is grown in the shade rather than direct sunlight in the hill tracks of South Indian states.

Complete answer:
Major coffee-producing state of India is Karnataka.
Coffee production in India is dominated in the hill tracts of South Indian states, with Karnataka accounting for 71%, followed by Kerala with 21% and Tamil Nadu (5% of overall production with 8,200 tonnes). Some other states producing coffee include Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Assam, and Tripura.
India has about 250,000 coffee growers in total; 98% of them are small growers. As of 2009, Indian contribute to 4.5% of global coffee production and exports almost 80% of the total coffee produced. Indian coffee is also termed as “Indian monsoon coffee” because it is grown in the southern states during the monsoon season. Coffee grown in India is grown in shade in two tiers. These are often intercropped with plants such as cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg as the coffees gain aromatics from the inter-cropping.

So, the correct answer is Karnataka.

Note: Robusta is the main variety of coffee grown in Karnataka but the state also produces a small quantity of Arabica. The high yield owes to the good climatic conditions, sloppy mountains, high altitude, and adequate rainfall which are favorable for coffee plantation.