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Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat address on Sunday, celebrated India’s growing coffee culture and the rising global appreciation for homegrown varieties. Citing Odisha’s Koraput coffee as a standout example, he said, “India’s coffee is coffee at its finest. It is brewed in India and loved by the world.”

The Prime Minister said many people from Koraput had written to him expressing pride in their coffee, which has gained recognition for both its flavour and its social impact. “I have been told that Koraput coffee tastes amazing, and that coffee cultivation is transforming lives. There are people in Koraput who left corporate jobs to take up coffee farming out of sheer passion,” he said.

PM Modi praised the farmers of Koraput for turning their passion into livelihood, noting that many women have also found financial independence through coffee cultivation. He described how coffee farming has become a source of empowerment and opportunity in the region.

Leaders from Odisha, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Governor Raghubar Das, welcomed the Prime Minister’s mention, saying it would further boost Koraput’s reputation and inspire more farmers to join the sector.

Koraput’s coffee, grown in the Eastern Ghats, is known for its distinctive aroma and smooth taste. It has received Geographical Indication (GI) recognition and is increasingly being exported to international markets.

The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s traditional coffee-growing belts across the southern states. He listed Karnataka’s Chikmagalur, Coorg and Hassan; Tamil Nadu’s Pulney, Shevaroy, Nilgiri and Annamalai; and Kerala’s Wayanad, Travancore and Malabar as leading regions producing some of the world’s finest beans.

He further mentioned the growing role of the North-east, where coffee cultivation is expanding in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Nagaland. “The diversity of Indian coffee is truly remarkable,” he said.

India’s coffee cultivation dates back to the 17th century, when Saint Baba Budan is believed to have planted the first seeds in Karnataka’s Chikmagalur district.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, India’s coffee exports reached $1.29 billion in FY 2023–24 - nearly double the $719 million recorded in 2020–21, driven by increasing global demand for Arabica and Robusta beans, as well as value-added products such as roasted and instant coffee.

PM Modi said India’s coffee story is not just about taste, but about people. “Coffee cultivation is helping many rural families improve their income. It is a story of hard work, innovation and hope,” he said. Experts say Koraput’s success could pave the way for more tribal regions to diversify agriculture through high-value crops. Programmes promoting women’s cooperatives and local branding are already strengthening the coffee economy in eastern India.

Ankit Kumar is a Senior Sub Editor at Zee Business. He covers international affairs, politics, climate change, business, finance and global elections. With experience acros