Lekali Coffee

Himalayan Arabica Coffee

Coffee is a popular drink and heavily traded commodity in the world market. For over the years, Nepali coffee has received special recognition in the national and international market. Origin of coffee is not exactly known but there are many stories about its origin. The most popular story is that coffee was discovered by a goat herder, Kaldi in Ethiopia. In Nepal, the introduction of coffee was done by Hira Giri in Gulmi about 83 years ago.

HISTORY OF COFFEE CULTIVATION IN NEPAL

  • Coffee was introduced in Nepal by Sant Hira Giri in 1938 AD. He brought coffee seeds from Myanmar in Aanpchaur, Gulmi.
  • For a long time, coffee was planted in marginal land for soil conservation purposes.
  • Promotion of coffee was started by government and non-government in 1968. In this context, coffee seed was brought from India and was distributed to the farmers of Gulmi, Palpa and Arghakhanchi districts.
  • First coffee company called Nepal Coffee Company was established in Manigram, Rupandehi district in 1983. The company bought the dry cherries from farmers and produced green beans.
  • Nepal Coffee Producers Association INCPA) was formed in Palpa with the aim of organization of small farmers and motivating them for coffee production by following an organic system.
  • National Tea and coffee Development Board (NTCDB) was established in 1993 under the aegis of Ministry of Agricultural Development, by Tea and Coffee Development Board Act 1992 of Nepal. The broad objective of this board is to promote and strengthen the Tea and Coffee sector through policy formulation, technical and managerial support.
  • At present, a total 26719 farmers of more than 40 districts are involved in coffee plantation which covers 2360 ha of land (NTCDB, 2019/20).

COFFEE BOTANY & COMMON COFFEE VERITIES

  • The Arabica species is very predominantly grown in Nepal.
  • Mix of Bourbon & typical varieties mostly found in Nepal.
  • Plant can tolerate low temperatures (not frost) but best grown with an average temperature of 15-24 degrees Celsius.
  • Coffee Arabica is predominantly self-pollinated which results in uniform seeds & seedling production.
  • Straight, six pairs of leaves, 1 feet tall, pencil size thick, dark green shiny leaves, free of disease & insects with 14-18 months old age sapling.

COMMONLY GROWN VARIETIES OF COFFEE

  • It has been believed that seeds of Arabica coffee have been introduced from Myanmar and started from Gulmi.
  • Now days Coffee is grown in 42 districts in Nepal out of it Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Palpa and Syangja are the largest coffee producers. In addition, coffee plantation is expanding as commercial arming in 21 districts of mid-hill areas of central and western region.
  • Different varieties introduced and grown in Nepal are Typica, Bourbon, Pacas, Pacamara, Catuai, Tekisic, Caturra, Catimor, Sin. 10, Sin. 12 (Cauvery), Sin 13 (Chandragiri) etc.
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