KANUBARI, Nov 14:

Coffee may soon replace tea in Kanubari if present market trends are to continue whereby the tea 
growers are left at receiving end; more so because low price and shortage of labour has seriously hit 
farmers, said MLA Gabriel D Wangsu.
 

Kanubari so far known for its lush green tea gardens may soon be recognized for coffee, observed 
Wangsu, also chairman, APSCIT and e-Gov, while describing coffee as a suitable and sustainable 
alternative in the present day economy.

Addressing a team of officers from Coffee Board of India, state officials and public during various 
interactive sessions at Kanubari and Longhua village here on Monday, the MLA said coffee offers scope 
for economic growth and help maintain natural equilibrium. Calling upon the people to seriously take up 
coffee farming as one of the sources of sustenance by strictly following the farming techniques and 
procedures, Wangsu informed that forest and horticulture departments too would soon raise coffee 
nurseries with the help of Coffee Board.

Joint Director of Coffee Board Dr CG Anand, who arrived here from Bengaluru to study feasibility of 
coffee cultivation, said that Kanubari area is suitable for growing robusta coffee and the success 
stories of other parts of India can be replicated in this region.

Describing the first coffee nursery 
raised by a local entrepreneur Lempho Wangjen as beginning of a new chapter, Dr. Anand assured all 
technical support from his office. Necessary aids and advices for raising coffee plantation would be 
made available at the doorsteps of the farmers, Anand assured.
Deputy Director of Coffee Board, PP Choudhury, who also addressed the people, informed that the 5-
member team is here as a follow-up of the initiation by the State Chief Minister Pema Khandu to 
encourage coffee cultivation in the state. 10-15 farmers would be soon selected to undergo on-field 
training outside the state before coffee saplings are initiated in the plantation, he said while making 
it categorically clear that coffee may not bring windfall of goodies but can definitely help stabilize 
the economy of the people. More than hundred farmers are already taking up coffee farming in Deomali 
area and many more are ready to venture into this cash crop, he added.

Earlier, the coffee team and HoDs besides local leaders led by MLA Gabriel D. Wangsu visited the first 
privately raised coffee nursery at Mopakhat. They also visited the identified plantation area at Araab 
in Longhua village and had a long interactive session with the chief, GB and PRI members.

Meanwhile, the MLA cum chairman of APSCIT & E-gov, also inaugurated a conference hall at the ADCs 
office here in presence of ADC Taro Mize, officers of Coffee Board, HoDs and public leaders. 

Wangsu, in his address, described the hall costing 58 lakhs and constructed under TFC as an asset and 
said the need for a convenient space for all official purposes has now been perfectly addressed. 
Among others those who also spoke included ADC T. Mize, local leader Panjam Wangsa and senior officials 
of the coffee board.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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