CHAIRMAN’S NEWSLETTER
Written on March 3, 2015 byDear Members,
This is to bring to your attention the following activities and events of the Association that have taken place since the present committee took over in November 2014.
a. The Trustees for the year 2014-15:
The following are the Trustees for the year 2014-15: Mr. K. Kurian, Mr. Baba P.S. Bedi, Dr. M.M. Chengappa and Mr. D. Govindappa Jayaram.b. The Executive Committee for year 2014-15:
The following are the members of the Executive Committee for the year 2014-15:
Mr. Baba P.S. Bedi (Vice-Chairman), Mr. H.T. Pramod, Mr. Shirish Vijayendra, Mr. Mahesh Shashidhar, Mr. A.A. Ponappa, Dr. M.M. Chengappa, Mr. M.B. Ganapathy, Mr. N. Ramanathan, Mr. V. Murali and Mr. M.L. Sachin.
THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER
1/4) Meeting of the 12th High Powered Committee held on 19th November, 2014.
A meeting of the 12th High Powered Committee of the Price Stabilization Fund Trust (PSFT) was held on 19th November, 2014 at Delhi. The meeting was convened by the additional Secretary (Plantations) Sri. Rajani Ranjan Rashmi. There were discussions on Plantation Crop Insurance Scheme, Revenue Insurance Scheme for Plantation Crops (RISPC) and Rainfall Insurance Scheme (RISC). A concept note on proposed Revenue Insurance Scheme for Plantation Crops was introduced. Ms Vandana Yadav, Director Plantations,
Managing Director of the Agriculture Insurance Company and Assistant CEO of PSFT were present.
The meeting was attended by the Vice Chairman and me.
2/4) Meeting of the Coffee Board on Revenue Insurance Scheme on 15th December 2014:
As a follow up to the 19th November 2014 meeting held at Delhi, the Coffee Board had held a meeting on Revenue Insurance and Rainfall Insurance Schemes. The following was the outcome of the meeting.
Revenue Insurance Scheme:
1. Due to various reasons it was decided that the yield linked “Revenue Insurance Scheme” may not be immediately possible. For this scheme, a more acceptable method of yield estimation needs to be evolved.
2. So, Modified Price Stabilization Fund may be considered for immediate benefit of the growers
Rainfall Insurance Scheme:
It was suggested by KPA to bring down the rainfall triggers for making payout as it is very high and to increase the number of Rain Gauge Stations.
We submitted a memorandum regarding both the subjects at the meeting.
3/4) UPASI Tea Stakeholders Meeting at Coimbatore on 19th November, 2014
UPASI had convened the Tea Stakeholders Meeting at Coimbatore on 19th November, 2014 in connection with crash in Tea Prices. The Convener of the Tea Committee, Mr. Rajkumar Wilson and IRO Mr. B.G. Kushalappa had attended the Meeting. The meeting appraised all stakeholders about the crash in Tea Prices and discussed about finding remedies.
Thereafter a Press Statement was released by UPASI regarding crash in Tea Prices which was published in leading National News Papers.
4/4) State Level Committee meeting on Identifying Eco Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats on 27th November, 2014.
Past Chairman Mr. A.S. Shankare Gowda, Mr. Ajoy Thipaiah and the Secretary had attended the meeting
of the State Level Committee on identifying Eco Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats in Chikmagalur
District on 27th November, 2014 at the Zilla Panchayat, Chikmagalur and submitted a Memorandum. A
unanimous resolution was adopted at the meeting rejecting the report.
THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
1/4) CASS-VII held on 11th December, 2014 at Girivalley Estate, Somwarpet.
Coffee Area Scientific Symposium VII (CASS VII) was held on 11th December 2014 at the Girivalley Estate of Mr. Girish Punja. 88 delegates had attended the program. There were field visits and sit down session. The delegates were briefed about achieving of high productivity in Robusta by adopting Drip Irrigation and supply of nutrients by Drip Irrigation.
 |
 |
2/4) Meeting on Enrollment of Employees under EPF Scheme on 26th Dec. 2014.
The Immediate Past Chairman Mr. D. Govindappa Jayaram and the Vice-Chairman Mr. Baba P.S. Bedi had met Addl. P.F. Commissioner at Bangalore on 26th December, 2014 and had submitted a Memorandum and discussed with him regarding various PF issues in plantations. The Commissioner informed that he will look into the memorandum and will take suitable decision according to the Act.
3/4) Meeting with the Hon’ble Minister of Power (Energy) on 27th Dec. 2014.
The Immediate Past Chairman Mr. D. Govindappa Jayaram had met Hon’ble Minister for Energy Sri. D.K. Shivakumar on 27th December, 2014 at Bangalore and had submitted a Memorandum bringing to his notice the acute Shortage of Power during pulping of coffee and irrigation during coffee blossoms and urged him to help in the matter. The Honb’le Minister went through the Memorandum and said he will consider the requests in the Memorandum and take it up with concerned Officials of the Energy Department
to find a solution.
4/4) Meeting on High Level Working Group Report on Western Ghats on 30th Dec. 2014
The Vice-Chairman and the Secretary had attended the Coffee Board meeting on Dr. K. Kasturirangan HLWG Report on the Western Ghats at the Coffee Board on 30th December, 2014 and had submitted a Memorandum. The Vice-Chairman and the Secretary spoke about the objections filed by KPA to the Draft Notification dated 10th March 2014. The Director of Research, Coffee Board, Dr. Y. Raghuramulu made a presentation informing the salient features of the report and recommendations.
THE MONTH OF JANUARY
1/4) Meeting of the Minimum Wage Advisory Board on 23rd January, 2015.
The Secretary of the Association Mr. Anil Savur D. had attended the newly reconstituted Minimum Wage Advisory Board 1st Meeting held on 23rd Jan 2015 at Bangalore. There was no Agenda concerning the plantation sector. However, subjects in the Agenda and other general labour related subjects were discussed.
2/4) Meeting of State Cabinet Sub Committee on Dr. K. Kasturirangan Report held on 24th January 2015.
A meeting of the State Cabinet Sub-committee to look into the recommendations of the Dr. K. Kasturirangan Report was held on 24th January, 2015 at the Kalamandir, Chikmagalur. The Convener of Land Matters Committee Mr. A.S. Shankare Gowda, member Mr. I.S. Umesh Chandra and the Secretary Mr. Anil Savur had attended the meeting.
Sri. R.V. Deshpande, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education & Tourism, Sri. D.K. Shivakumar, Hon’ble Minister for Energy and Mr. Shri. Abhay Chandra Jain, District Minister and Hon’ble, Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports had attended the meeting. The Cabinet Sub-committee accepted memorandums and objections to the report and heard various stakeholders and organizations who had opposed the Dr. K Kasturirangan report.
3/4). Presentation on “Coffee Crop Nutrition & Next Generation Micronutrients” on 27th January, 2015
The KPA had organized a “Presentation on Coffee Crop Nutrition and next Generation Micronutrients” on 27th January, 2015 at the KPA, Chikmagalur. 38 KPA members had attended the presentation. There were presentations from ‘Yaara India’ Agronomists which was followed by an Interactive Session. A Lunch was hosted to the delegates at the Kadur Club.
 |
 |
4/4) Pepper Field Visit held on 31st January, 2015
The Scientific Committee of the KPA had organized the KPA Pepper Field Visit on 31st Jan. 2015 at the “Hosathota” and “Masuvally” Estates belonging to Mr. B.M. Mahesh Kumar and Mr. M.N. Karthik. The pepper field visit was a grand success. It was an eye opener and the delegates learnt about achieving high productivity in pepper by proper management of water, shade and nutrients in Robusta and Arabica estates. A Lunch was hosted to the delegates at the Munzerabad Club, Sakleshpur.
 |
 |
THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
1/8) Stakeholders Consultation on Karnataka State Action Plan on 6th Feb. 2015
The Secretary had attended the Stake Holders Consultation meeting organized by the KSPCB on“Climatic Change” at the D.C’s Office, Mangalore on 6th Feb. 2015. A memorandum was submitted by him and spoke on “Impact of Climate Change on Coffee Plantations.”
2/8) Tariff Petitions before KERC.
The MESCOM and CESC had filed Tariff Petitions before the KERC for Revision of Electricity Tariff by 80 Paisa for all categories. We have filed objections to both petitions opposing Revision of Tariff.
3/8) Meeting with the Finance Secretary and CCTO on 12th February, 2015
Our Vice-Chairman Mr. Baba P.S. Bedi, Convener of Taxation Committee Mr. V. Murali, and I had met Sri. I.N.S Prasad, Principal Secretary, Finance Department and Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, Sri. Ritvik Pandey on 12th February, 2015 their offices and had submitted Pre-Budget Memorandum for the year 2015-16 and discussed with them various requests in the memorandum. They said they will go through the memorandum and discuss it with the Hon’ble Chief Minister.
4/8) Pre-Budget Meeting with the Hon’ble Chief Minister on 27th Feb. 2015.
A Pre-Budget Meeting with all industry representatives was convened by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Karnataka Sri. Siddaramaiah on 27th February, 2015 at the Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore. The meeting was attended by the Convener of Taxation Committee Mr. V. Murali, Vice Chairman Mr. Baba P.S. Bedi and myself. We submitted KPA’s Pre Budget Memorandum 2015-16 to the Hon’ble Chief Minister and I briefly spoke about various requests in the memorandum.
5/8). Workshop on “Comprehensive Management of Coffee pulp waste” at Madikeri on 14th February 2015:
A Workshop on “Comprehensive Management of Coffee Pulp Waste” was held by KSPCB at Madikeri on 14th February 2015. The meeting was attended by Sri. Vijay Kumar, Member Secretary, KSPCB. Mr. N. Bose Mandanna and myself had attended on behalf of KPA. Dr. Anu Appaiah, Senior Scientist of CFTRI and others had attended the program. A memorandum was submitted to the Member Secretary in response to the “Draft Revised Standard for Coffee Effluent” sent by Sri. A.K. Vidyarthi, Senior Engineer, CPCB to KSPCB under letter Dtd. 29th August 2014.
6/8) KPA Sports Club Shooting Tournament on 14th February, 2015
 |
7/8) Coffee Board, Programme on 24th February at Chikmagalur for the release of three promising genotypes varieties of Arabica for extended field trials.
The Coffee Board had held a program on 24th February 2015 at the Coffee Board Complex at Chikmagalur for the release of three promising genotypes of Arabica varieties for extended field trials. The member estates who responded to the mail for the field trials, invitees and members who evinced interest were given seeds for field trial by the Chairman, Coffee Board.
8/8). Workshop. on “Drip Irrigation” held at CCRI on 26th February 2015:
The Coffee Board’s Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) had held a workshop on “Drip Irrigation”at the Central Coffee Station (CRS), Balehonnur Chikmagalur district. Dr. Raghuramlu, Director of Research & other scientists of CCRI made presentations and explained the initiative taken by CCRI in developing drip irrigation techniques. The workshop was attended by 26 KPA members who had registered for the workshop.
A) KPA Budget General Meeting
The 57th Budget General Meeting of the Association will be held on 18th March, 2015 at the KPA Office, Chikmagalur. This will be followed by a Workshop on Drip Irrigation at which members of the KPA will share their experiences on Drip Irrigation.
I request all members to attend both the meetings.
B) Website:
We have uploaded various information on plantation matters including photographs of the KPA Annual Conference held on 13th and 14th November, 2014 at Bangalore, CASS-VII held on 11th December, 2014 at Girivalley Estate, Somwarpet, Presentation on 27th January, 2015 on “Coffee Nutrients” at the KPA Office, Chikmagalur and Pepper Field Visit held on 31st January, 2015 at the Hosathota and Masuvally Estates on KPA Website.
I request all the members to visit the website (http://www.kpa.org.in) and browse through the website.
C) Feedback:
Please be free to contact our office for any more information.
With best wishes.
Warm Regards,
K. KURIAN
Chairman of the KPA
3rd March, 2015
