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MADHU AGRO PLANTATION
In the midst of the hilly terrain of the Eastern Ghats and the tribal belt of Koraput district, Odisha, lies a fairly young Madhu Agro Plantation growing its signature product, Kellar Coffee. The owners, the late Mr. Govinda Reddy and Mrs. T Nirmala Reddy, originally intended for this 25-year-old plantation to be a post-retirement nature retreat. After Mr. Reddy’s untimely demise, their daughter Rajashree took over the running of the plantation along with her mother. Years of nurturing have resulted in a lush green coffee farm intercropped with a wide variety of fruit trees and spices - mango, lemon, tamarind, jamun, guava, jackfruit, bananas, orange, custard apple, pepper, cinnamon, bay leaf, and ginger, to name a few. Both Nirmala Reddy and her daughter, Rajashree, live on the farm, unlike many other owners who have managers running the day-to-day operations while they live in the nearest city or big town.
While the Madhu Agro Plantation grows both specialty and commodity coffee, its current focus is on its specialty coffees, with an emphasis on the overall sustainability of the surrounding environment. The Reddys have a multi-pronged approach to achieving this goal. On the farm, all of their coffee is shade-grown, and vermicomposting is integral to the farming cycle. This helps maintain soil integrity and keeps it moist without using extra water or chemical fertilizers. The farm also has two man-made ponds that store rainwater for the summer months.
The non-coffee plants/trees on the estate are mostly native species, promoting preservation and biodiversity of the region’s natural habitat. This is especially useful because the Eastern Ghats have been over-mined in recent years, leading to deforestation and a threat to local wildlife. Keeping the farm in its natural condition as far as possible helps provide a safe haven for some of the wildlife in the area. Monkeys, wild boar, rabbits, snakes and other reptiles, a variety of birds, and even the very elusive civet cat now call Madhu Agro Plantation their home. The monkeys, however, can get destructive during the harvest season as they feed on the coffee berries and spit out the beans, which could germinate if not picked up. This often requires extra diligence and labor force.
Pest control methods on the farm combine natural, organic, and non-organic approaches. Plants such as pepper, jackfruit, and turmeric are planted alongside the coffee to deter pests. Mulch is also used to control weeds and regulate soil temperature. The farm, however, does need to use a Bodo spray twice a year. This quicklime spray, along with a copper-containing fungicide, is used to control leaf rust. The usage of both these sprays is as per the guidelines of the Coffee Board of India.
A typical workday on the farm varies by season, with the busiest time being harvest. Like all crops, the coffee plants need maintenance year-round to ensure they remain healthy and provide optimum yields. Pest and disease control, thinning of shade trees, de-weeding, mulching, pruning, and replanting are all year-round activities that are performed on the farm. Madhu Agro plantation proudly empowers women from the surrounding tribal villages as part of its team by providing them with regular work and supporting them in their daily lives. The plantation adheres to local labor laws, ensures fair wages, and is committed to the overall well-being of its workers. Like most coffee farms in India, the Reddys also offer their workers medical and financial assistance when needed. Transportation to and from the farm is also provided. Worker morale is also boosted by celebrating festivals, offering lunch, and gifts. Group outings are also occasionally planned to neighboring towns.
Kellar Coffee is one of the few coffees in India that is proudly owned and produced by women whose skill and dedication to the farm produce beans of the highest quality. Their mission is to promote the lesser-known coffee from Odisha, in India, and around the world while creating a truly cohesive ecosystem on the farm and in the surrounding areas. In the future, Madhu Agro Plantations also hopes to receive their TATA C.A.F.E. certification, which will help cement their commitment towards a more sustainable future.
Kellar Coffee is one of the few coffees in India that is proudly owned and produced by women whose skill and dedication to the farm produce beans of the highest quality. Their mission is to promote the lesser-known coffee from Odisha, in India, and around the world while creating a truly cohesive ecosystem on the farm and in the surrounding areas. In the future, Madhu Agro Plantations also hopes to receive their TATA C.A.F.E. certification, which will help cement their commitment towards a more sustainable future.