The Agriculture department, through the World Bank-assisted Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernisation (KERA) project, will implement a comprehensive ₹25-crore scheme to modernise the coffee sector in Wayanad district and enhance productivity.The main attraction of the initiative is the financial assistance for replanting low-productivity plantations with new saplings. Financial assistance of ₹1.1 lakh per hectare will be provided for this purpose. Farmers with coffee cultivation ranging from 25 cents (0.1 hectare) to 10 hectares can apply, though the maximum eligible assistance per farmer will be limited to two hectares (₹2.2 lakh). The amount will be disbursed in two instalments- ₹77,000 in the first year and ₹33,000 in the second year.To establish scientific irrigation facilities essential for coffee cultivation, assistance of up to ₹50,000 per hectare will also be provided. This includes ₹18,000 for water storage construction and ₹32,000 for sprinkler units. The project also aims to ensure the quality of coffee saplings by providing financial assistance of ₹6 lakh each to 30 nurseries producing high-quality certified saplings.To enhance the market value of Wayanad coffee, farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) will receive reimbursement of 75% of the total cost, subject to a maximum of ₹2 lakh, for obtaining national and international certifications and GI tagging. As part of the project, the PCGS scheme will also be implemented to facilitate low-interest term loans for replanting and drip irrigation.Officials said KERA field officers would provide direct support and scientific training to farmers. In collaboration with the Coffee Board, the project will organise awareness programmes for around 32,000 farmers, village-level workshops for 16,000 farmers, and comprehensive training in scientific farming methods for 3,400 farmers.Interested farmers may apply online through the portal https://keraplantation.kerala.gov.in. For more details, contact 8089775400 or email: info@kera.kerala.gov.in. Published - May 16, 2026 08:07 pm IST