Karnataka is India’s largest coffee-producing state, with thousands of tribal and marginal farmers cultivating coffee and other spices under challenging conditions. These smallholder farmers, often operating on less than one hectare of land, face systemic barriers like low awareness of scientific crop production practices, poor post-harvest infrastructure and limited access to premium markets.
Terra Ecopreneurs is working to change that through a comprehensive programme that integrates tech-based agronomic support, post-harvest infrastructure, and enhanced market access.
The enterprise will offer improved farm machinery and climate-smart agriculture advice such as soil testing kits that recommend optimal fertilisers and other organic inputs. In the post-harvest stage, Terra Ecopreneurs will support the development of key infrastructure like pulping units, drying infrastructure and access to sensory testing. These enhancements can boost product quality and help farmers unlock the full financial potential of their produce.
To improve their livelihoods in the long-term, Terra Ecopreneurs will help farmers build better market linkages through strengthening Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs). The enterprise will build capacity of FPOs by advising farmers on how they can differentiate and promote their products to businesses. Farmers can then gain more direct linkages to domestic and international buyers, negotiating fairer prices.
Combining these approaches, Terra Ecopreneurs is committed to building a model for inclusive agricultural development, unlocking the true potential of local farm products while addressing the livelihood challenges faced by tribal and marginal farmers.
With support from TRANSFORM, Terra Ecopreneurs aims to improve the livelihoods of 3,000 farmers – of which, 25% are women and 10% are from Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups – across Chamarajanagar, Mysore, Kodagu, and Chikkamagalur districts of Karnataka State in India.