MP seeks Centre’s relief for Kodagu Coffee Growers’ Cooperative Society

MP for Mysuru Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar has taken the initiative to address the financial crisis faced by the Kodagu Coffee Growers’ Cooperative Society, which has been functioning for decades.

The society is currently under severe financial stress, and Mr. Yaduveer has therefore urged the Union Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of Finance to intervene and provide relief.

During his visit to New Delhi, Mr. Yaduveer met Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and submitted a memorandum seeking his support.

Founded in 1956, the society has supported over 10,000 to 12,000 small and medium coffee growers across Kodagu, Mysuru, and surrounding regions. It has been a backbone for nearly 40,000 families and has provided employment to thousands of estate workers. However, due to market fluctuations and lack of capital, the society incurred a loss of ₹6.85 crore during 1995–96, he said in a press release here.

As per the Coffee Board’s order dated September 12, 2011, the society was directed to pay ₹1,55,28,034 as interest. Later, on September 20, 2015, the board issued a letter stating that if the principal was cleared, the interest would be waived. Accordingly, on December 22, 2015, the society paid ₹1,55,28,090. But in 2017, the board imposed an additional ₹5,83,85,155 as interest and other charges, Mr. Yaduveer said.

The society has incurred a loss of ₹13.13 crore, and is in deep financial crisis. At present, it is unable to pay the heavy interest burden. If forced to pay, the society will go bankrupt, impacting nearly one lakh people who depend on it, he said.

He urged that the Union Commerce Minister to intervene to rescue the society from the crisis and also appealed to the Finance Ministry to coordinate and extend appropriate relief and assistance.