DSCTA:ECC

The objective of this scheme is to enable coffee growers to access high-value specialty markets and earn better returns by producing eco-certified coffee that meets established environmental and quality standards, ensuring transparency about the conditions under which the coffee is produced.

The scheme "Development Support for Coffee in Traditional Areas: Eco-certification of Coffee" is a Sub-Component of the Scheme "Integrated Coffee Development Project During the Medium Term Framework (MTF) Period: Development Support to Stakeholders" by the Coffee Board, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The objective of this scheme is to encourage coffee growers to access high-value specialty markets through production of eco-certified coffees so as to realize higher returns by adhering to a set of standards which help in communication of quality, traceability, social, environmental and financial conditions surrounding the production of coffee.

• The individual grower should own up to 10 hectares of coffee holding.
• The group of small growers such as SHGs or collectives should obtain certification for sustainability and quality standards.
• The grower should not have availed subsidy for the same activity during the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture period unless new beneficiaries are covered.
• The grower or group should obtain certification under recognized programs such as Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, or Bird Friendly/Shade Grown coffee standards.
• The grower claiming support for organic certification should be certified under the National Programme for Organic Production standards.
• The grower or group should obtain certification only from agencies accredited by the respective certification programs.
• The non-tribal grower in non-traditional areas should have a coffee holding of up to 10 hectares.

> Extent of Support/ Subsidy

Certification Support: 50% of the certification cost, subject to a maximum of ₹50,000 (Rupees 50,000) per individual grower/grower groups. In the case of Organic certification, spread over a period of 3 years or the conversion period, whichever is less; in the case of other certificates, one year, during the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) period.

Additional Support for SC/ST Community: Individual coffee growers belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) community with a coffee holding size of up to 4.00 hectares are eligible for an additional 10% of the certification cost, subject to a maximum of ₹55,000 (Rupees 55,000) per grower during the MIDH period.