Ecopreneur Spotlight: South India Coffee Company, India

Coffee aficionados and eco-warriors! Get ready to dive into the inspiring journey of South India Coffee Company, where sustainability meets the perfect brew in every sip. 🌱☕ Let's spill the beans on how this Indian gem is revolutionizing the coffee industry, one cup at a time!

Could you share the factors that have fueled your passion for embarking on the journey of nature restoration?

Growing up spending vacations on my family's coffee farm created a deep personal connection to the land and its natural beauty. Many of my happiest childhood memories are associated with the farm, and I have a strong emotional bond to preserving its environment.

Environmental Changes I've witnessed significant environmental changes in the region, including the transition from shade-grown Arabica coffee to open-cultivated Robusta. 

Covid-19 Lockdown provided an unexpected opportunity to stay on the farm during harvest season. This time allowed me to reflect on the challenges facing coffee production and the importance of sustainable practices.

Data Collection I started collecting data on coffee production difficulties and the cost of production during the lockdown. This research highlighted the need for sustainable practices and economic stability in the coffee industry.

Native Species Exploring native coffee species in India, which require lower intervention and are better suited to the local environment, sparked my interest in preserving and propagating these species. Species such as Coffea Benghalensis, Wightiana, Travencorensis and Jenkensii

Drought-Tolerant Coffea Excelsa The discovery that Coffea Excelsa is drought-tolerant and its potential for sustainability further motivated my passion for nature restoration.

Community Projects Collaborating with small growers in Sirangalli to create the Sirangalli Community Project for green coffee allowed me to make a positive impact on the environment and the livelihoods of local farmers.

2. In what ways does your project or workplace put a strong emphasis on community-led initiatives and economic impact on the community?

We collaborate with small coffee growers in the Sirangalli region on the Sirangalli Community Project, enhancing their production and livelihoods. Through tailored support including labor, fertilizers, and soil analysis, we empower the community to improve coffee quality and sustainability. Our aim is to foster economic stability alongside environmental sustainability, directly benefiting community members.

We're exploring markets for alternative products like Excesla, pepper, and cardamom grown by small growers. Diversifying with native coffee species and drought-tolerant varieties mitigates risks from crop diseases and environmental changes, opening up new revenue streams for the community. 

We export coffee from the Sirangalli Community Project to markets like the UK, EU, USA, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia, expanding small growers' customer reach and boosting their economic opportunities. Additionally, we collaborate with Indian specialty roasters like Blue Tokai, Subko, and Kaapi Kottai on these community coffees.

We study coffee species and hybrids over 5-20 years, providing ongoing research and development. This commitment establishes a sustainable foundation for community coffee cultivation. Our findings are shared with growers upon testing and approval.

Through community-led initiatives, we empower local farmers to shape project outcomes, fostering ownership and a strong community spirit. For example, at the World Coffee Conference in Bangalore in September 2023, our growers will showcase their work at our stand, engaging with buyers, including international ones.

3. In addition, what distinguishes your project as truly exceptional, capable of inspiring a global audience?

Besides Coffea Excelsa and indigenous Indian coffee varieties, our project is now exploring five other coffee species with promising potential for low-intervention cultivation. Specifically, we're zooming in on two Arabica-Excelsa hybrids, prized for their natural pest resistance, especially against the white stem borer.

We are collaborating with the Bio-Tech department at the Coffee Board, we're identifying drought-tolerant Coffea root material. Our Coffea Excelsa variety clinched second place in the Italian Barista Championship, gaining global recognition. Plus, our commitment to quality and innovation earned us consecutive Taste UK awards for two years straight.

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