Karnataka coffee estates set up automated weather stations for crop protection as IMD warns severe cold wave with temps 5–7°C below normal
Coffee growers across Karnataka are turning to technology to safeguard their crops from unpredictable climate conditions. Automated weather stations are being installed in estates to provide hyperlocal data crucial for crop management. The initiative is supported by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre, and several research institutions.
According to the Coffee Board, observatories have already been set up in ten locations, including Coorg, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan, with permissions and certifications underway. Accurate weather information is vital during blossoming, harvesting, and drying stages, as past instances of crop damage have highlighted the limitations of distant IMD observatories. To bridge this gap, estate owners are establishing their own monitoring systems.
The Coffee Board is also expanding observatory installations to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. These stations employ advanced technology, enabling growers to track climatic variations remotely and adapt their strategies accordingly. In Chikkamagaluru, Kelachandra Coffee has partnered with Deepflow Technologies, an agritech startup incubated at IIM‑Bangalore’s NRSCEL, to deploy Augmented Weather and IndraWeather stations. The integration of hyperlocal intelligence is helping growers shift from reactive crisis management to proactive climate adaptation, guiding decisions on varietal selection and agroforestry for long‑term sustainability.
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Meanwhile, the Coffee Board’s first research centre in Chikkamagaluru is preparing for its centenary celebrations from December 20 to 22. Established in 1925 to combat the devastating Leaf Rust Coffee disease that wiped out crops in Sri Lanka, the centre spans 270 acres and houses soil labs, plant physiology units, and advanced R&D facilities. It has developed 450 coffee germ plasm varieties and remains one of the oldest centres globally, after those in Indonesia and Africa.
In parallel, Karnataka is experiencing a severe cold wave. IMD has issued an orange alert after temperatures in several districts fell 5–7°C below normal. Bidar recorded the sharpest drop at 7.6°C below average, while Davanagere, Hassan, and Mandya also reported significant declines. Experts attribute the chill to La Niña conditions coinciding with the Northeast Monsoon, which has reduced inland moisture and intensified dry northerly winds. Authorities have urged residents to take precautions against cold‑related illnesses and commuters to remain cautious amid fog and poor visibility.
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