Crisis

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What sort of miseries are the farmers enduring and what type of sacrifices are these farmers making in an effort to conserve ecology?

The coffee farmers are trying out desperate avenues in holding on to their farms. To start with For example he is trying to sell the forest wealth; with tears in his eyes, because he had protected, loved and reared these trees from his child hood days.

This coffee crisis has forced the farmer to post pone the required cultural operation. That has resulted in him loosing 10% of his Arabica farm due to the severe Arabica coffee stem borer (pests and diseases).

In the absence of government remedial measures to combat the crisis, the farmer is being trapped in the clutches of money lenders due to the burden of heavy interest. He is forced to borrow at unreasonable and unsustainable interest levels eroding his very base in a few months time. This indiscipline in money transaction will cost him his farm.

It is well-known universal theory that whenever the war or crisis erupts, the first person to be psychologically affected will be women folk and then children. Children are being betrayed quality education.

The cordial relations that have been developed since decades with workers and various market players are gradually diminishing. This has resulted in decline in workers output and confidence of market players with planters.

Basically the coffee growers have inherited unique characteristics & culture. They always used to extend a helping hand to the neighbors in particular and to the society at large. They never used to seek help from others. These qualities are slowly disappearing due to the onslaught of the crisis. The impact of coffee crisis has diminished his standings in the society. Sociological imbalance between the planters and society has widened. Psychologically he has become a silent sufferer.

Economic impact severe—hitherto the society looked upon the coffee farmer as a person of great integrity and character. In short his standing in Society was like a privileged person enjoying all rights. However, today psychologically he and his family are a completely demoralized lot. Mentally broken down. Boarders and children are pulled out of schools. Family disputes, internal turmoil, lack of medical care, transportation, The local towns survived on the prosperity of the coffee farmers. Today half of them have shut shop and the other half is in debts. Crime rates have climbed significantly and most of all there is no sympathy from the Government to this 200 year old industry. Ripple effect in coffee towns which completely rely on the coffee economy. The coffee farmers are in a state of shock & confusion.

• ECOLOGY CONSERVATION
  The woman folk from our town have got together and have started the Women's Coffee Promotional Council (WCPC). They give demonstrations in coffee growing regions as well as distant towns and cities on the art of preparing a good cup of coffee and also speak to the lay people about the salient features of shade grown coffee and the health benefits of coffee. They also sell posters and stickers on ecofriendly Indian coffee. They invite coffee speakers to deliver key note addresses on the issues concerning the common farmer.
  
  A few enterprising coffee farmers have started cultivating ornamental plants; some have diversified in growing medicinal herbs and shrubs. Pisciculture (fish farming), apiculture (honeybees).
  
  A few have successfully exploited their places for ecotourism.

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