<p>Kodagu's H T Mohan Kumar says that in four decades of experience as a coffee planter, he has never seen the rains inflict such huge losses on coffee plantations.</p>.<p>Kumar estimates that 40 per cent of the coffee crop in three districts (Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Hassan) were destroyed in the unseasonal rains.</p>.<p>He pegged the loss at Rs 900 crore.</p>.<p>Coffee planter Aravind Devaraj from Shanivarasanthe in Kodagu district says the rains had disrupted both the flowering stage of the crop in January and February and now, the post-harvesting process that starts in November.</p>.<p>“When Brazil’s coffee bean production dipped, we believed India would benefit,” Aravind says. “But I have lost 30 per cent of my crop.”</p>.<p>Coffee Board Chief Executive Officer and Secretary K G Jagadeesha said that 30 to 40 per cent of Arabica crop which was ready for harvest, was lost. </p>.<p>The state contributes 70 per cent to the country’s coffee production. </p>.<p>The October and November rains also saw 229.65 hectares of arecanut crop (worth about Rs 10 crore) lost in Dakshina Kannada district, according to H R Nayak, Deputy Director, Horticulture Department in Dakshina Kannada.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos</strong></p>
<p>Kodagu's H T Mohan Kumar says that in four decades of experience as a coffee planter, he has never seen the rains inflict such huge losses on coffee plantations.</p>.<p>Kumar estimates that 40 per cent of the coffee crop in three districts (Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Hassan) were destroyed in the unseasonal rains.</p>.<p>He pegged the loss at Rs 900 crore.</p>.<p>Coffee planter Aravind Devaraj from Shanivarasanthe in Kodagu district says the rains had disrupted both the flowering stage of the crop in January and February and now, the post-harvesting process that starts in November.</p>.<p>“When Brazil’s coffee bean production dipped, we believed India would benefit,” Aravind says. “But I have lost 30 per cent of my crop.”</p>.<p>Coffee Board Chief Executive Officer and Secretary K G Jagadeesha said that 30 to 40 per cent of Arabica crop which was ready for harvest, was lost. </p>.<p>The state contributes 70 per cent to the country’s coffee production. </p>.<p>The October and November rains also saw 229.65 hectares of arecanut crop (worth about Rs 10 crore) lost in Dakshina Kannada district, according to H R Nayak, Deputy Director, Horticulture Department in Dakshina Kannada.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos</strong></p>