GCC bags national award for promoting Araku Coffee

Visakhapatnam: Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC), a State level government body mandated to protect the tribals from the exploitative petty traders and intermediaries so as to provide them remunerative prices for their produce, is in the process of establishing an integrated coffee processing center in Daunur in Koyyuru mandal in Alluri Sitharama Raju district.

The corporation, which recently received the top honours for Araku coffee, an organic coffee known for its unique flavour gaining popularity even in Paris and other international centres, is investing Rs 4 crore in the coffee processing center. GCC is also popular for Girijan Honey for being natural and pure honey.

The processing facility is modern and will process coffee seeds collected from tribal farmers, contributing to the production of high-quality coffee powder. G Suresh Kumar, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of GCC, said.

After receiving the prestigious first prize at the One District One Product (ODOP) Awards 2023 for Araku Coffee, he expressed confidence that the collaboration between GCC and tribal coffee farmers will play a pivotal role in fostering economic development. The award was presented by Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Conveying deep gratitude to the officials of ODOP for this distinguished recognition, Suresh Kumar commended the relentless efforts of GCC staff and acknowledged the unwavering support from the tribal coffee farmers of Araku and Chintapalli regions in ASR district, part of undivided Visakhapatnam district.

He said, “We are immensely proud of our efforts at Girijan Cooperative Corporation in uplifting tribal coffee farmers. During the 2022-23 season, we procured 1,000 tonnes of Arabica parchment and Arabica cherry coffee beans, disbursing Rs 20.07 crore to our tribal partners in Araku and Chintapalli areas.”

Highlighting the popularity of Araku Valley coffee products, sourced by GCC, both domestically and internationally, Suresh Kumar mentioned the significant support received by special GCC Arabica Hot outlets in cities such as Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad, as well as various airports and railway stations, attracting tourists and consumers alike.

In a commitment to fair trade practices, GCC has established competitive market prices: Rs 280 per kg for Arabica parchment coffee beans, Rs 145 per kg for Arabica cherry coffee and Rs 70 per kg for Robusta cherry coffee. These remunerative prices aim to foster the economic development of tribal communities by eliminating the exploitation often associated with middlemen.

He said GCC has consistently achieved positive results in the collection and sale of coffee beans from tribals in recent years.