“We are not getting labourers. If you have labourers in your area, please do send to our estate...” is the common answer that planters give if asked about status of plucking works.
The plucking of coffee must have been completed by the second week of February.
However, it might be extended till March. Every year, labourers come from Haveri and Shimoga among other places in search of job in coffee estates. However, this year, there is severe shortage of labourers. As a result, the plucking of coffee beans is moving in snail’s pace.
“Every year 250-300 labourers come to the hobli. However, this year only 80 labourers have come in search of employment in estates. Even if we pay Rs 5 lakh in advance, labourers are not ready to come forward. In our estate, even 30 per cent of coffee is not been plucked,” said an employee at an estate.
Labourers are not coming from plateu region. As a result, the demand for locally available labourers have also increased. Last year, the labourers were being paid Rs 1.25 for plucking one kg of robasta coffee. However, this year, it has been increased to Rs 2 to Rs 2.50 per kg.” The transportation cost of labourers are also on rise. At the same time, there has been fall in the price of Robusta coffee by 1,800 for 50 kg bag.
The shortage of labourers are also coming in the way of preparing robasta parchment. An estate which was known for preparing parchment for the past several decades are now into cherry making.
In total, the harvest is good. However, shortage of labourers is coming in the way of coffee processing. Now the growers are eagerly waiting for the Union budget for the announcement of coffee package.