Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region: Support for Group Nurseries

Description
The scheme "Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region: Support for Group Nurseries" is a Sub-Component of the Scheme "Integrated Coffee Development Project During the Medium Term Framework MTF Period: Development Support to Stakeholders" by the Coffee Board, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This scheme aims to provide growers with high-quality coffee seedlings to ensure the proper establishment of plantations.

Exclusions
• <br>

Benefits
• Each coffee seedling is eligible for a support of ₹5.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be Self-Help Groups (SHGs) or collectives of tribal growers.
2. The applicant should have procured the seed material for the coffee nursery exclusively from the Coffee Board.
3. <br>

Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: Initiation by the Extension Officer
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The Extension Officers of the Coffee Board will motivate a group of tribal growers in each of the localities/villages to raise a coffee nursery on a community basis. This caters to the requirement of seedlings for annual expansion and consolidation programs.

Step 2: Step 2: Location and Seedling Selection
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The groups themselves decide on the nursery's location and the number of seedlings to be raised. This decision is made in consultation with the Extension Officer of the Coffee Board, considering factors like water availability and other essential resources required for a healthy nursery.

Step 3: Step 3: Group Responsibilities
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The group takes the responsibility of motivating their members to participate in raising the nursery and distributing the seedlings among the members.

Step 4: Step 4: Cost Estimation and Control
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The concerned Extension Officer estimates the cost involved in raising the group nurseries. It is ensured that the cost of raising each healthy coffee seedling does not exceed ₹5, inclusive of input and labor costs.

Step 5: Step 5: Proposal Submission and Consolidation
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The Extension Officer submits a proposal containing details of the number of seedlings to be raised and the associated expenditure to the Deputy Director (E). The Deputy Director consolidates the requirements for his region and submits them to the Joint Director (E) in Guwahati, along with recommendations.

Step 6: Step 6: Regional Consolidation and Recommendations
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The Joint Director (E) consolidates the overall requirements for the North Eastern Region (NER) and submits the proposal, along with recommendations, to the Director of Research.

Step 7: Step 7: Scrutiny and Sanction
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The Director of Research scrutinizes the proposal and submits it to the Head Office in Bengaluru, along with recommendations for sanction.

Step 8: Step 8: Phased Funding Release
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After sanction, the concerned Joint Director (Extn.) or Deputy Director (E) releases the approved amount in a phased manner at different stages of raising the nurseries.

Required Documents
• The proposal containing details of the number of seedlings.
• The associated expenditure.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How is the support for each coffee seedling calculated?
A: Each coffee seedling is eligible for a support of [?]5, regardless of its actual cost.

Q: Is there a specific time frame for raising the group nurseries?
A: The scheme does not specify a particular time frame for raising the group nurseries; it focuses on the quality and cost control of the seedlings.

Q: What happens if the proposed number of seedlings differs from the actual number raised?
A: Any variations between the proposed number and the actual number raised are addressed during the cost estimation and control stage.

Q: How is the proposal consolidated at the regional level?
A: The Deputy Director consolidates the requirements for his region and submits them to the Joint Director (E) in Guwahati.

Q: Is there a maximum or minimum number of coffee seedlings that a group can raise?
A: The scheme does not specify a maximum or minimum number of coffee seedlings that a group can raise.

Q: Can you provide more information about the annual expansion and consolidation programs mentioned in the Extension Officer's Motivation step?
A: These programs are designed to cater to the requirement of seedlings for expanding and consolidating coffee plantations.

Q: What is the role of the Director of Research in the proposal process?
A: The Director of Research scrutinizes the proposal and submits it to the Head Office in Bengaluru, along with recommendations for sanction.

Q: What documents are required for application?
A: The required documents include a proposal containing details of the number of seedlings and the associated expenditure.

Q: How do groups decide on the nursery's location and the number of seedlings to be raised?
A: The groups decide in consultation with the Extension Officer, considering factors like water availability and other essential resources.

Q: What is the primary goal of this scheme?
A: The primary aim of this scheme is to provide high-quality coffee seedlings to ensure the proper establishment of plantations.

Q: Which department oversees this scheme?
A: This scheme is administered by the Coffee Board, which falls under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.