Previous Year Question
Which of the following States of India produces more than 70 percent coffee of the country alone?
Tamil Nadu
Kerala
Maharashtra
Karnataka
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Coffee production in India is highly concentrated in Karnataka. Official data from around the time of the UPPSC 2016 examination clearly support the statement that the State produced more than 70 percent of India's coffee.
In 2015-16, India's total coffee production was about 348,000 metric tonnes. Karnataka alone produced about 251,520 metric tonnes, or approximately 72.3% of the country's total production. In the same year, Kerala produced about 69,230 tonnes, while Tamil Nadu produced about 17,295 tonnes.
The principal coffee-growing districts of Karnataka are Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Hassan. India mainly grows two commercial species—Arabica and Robusta. Both are produced in Karnataka, although Robusta accounts for the larger share of the State's total production.