To strengthen India’s coffee supply chain, Tata Starbucks and Starbucks Coffee Company have launched a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) aimed at transforming coffee farming practices and improving grower livelihoods across key southern states.
The long-term programme will see Starbucks Coffee Trading Company (SCTC), the global procurement arm, collaborate with Tata Starbucks to support 10,000 coffee farmers by 2030. The initiative will begin in Karnataka—India’s largest coffee-producing region—and extend to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
Under the partnership, farmers will receive access to Starbucks’ open-source agronomy resources, global best practices, and sustainability-led farming techniques. Leveraging Tata’s regional expertise, the FSP will help growers strengthen yield, quality and climate resilience.
A core feature of the initiative is the establishment of technical “model farms” in collaboration with local producers. These farms will trial new coffee varietals, test sustainable innovations, and act as demonstration hubs for climate-smart agricultural practices tailored to Indian conditions.
The programme will also connect growers with Starbucks’ worldwide Farmer Support Centers and its upcoming digital agronomy training tools launching in 2026. Through the company’s C.A.F.E. Practices curriculum, farmers will be trained in ethical sourcing, regenerative agriculture, and ways to reduce carbon, water and waste footprints.
Over the next five years, the FSP will prioritize productivity improvement, better farm profitability and stronger environmental resilience. As part of its commitment, Tata Starbucks will distribute one million high-yield Arabica seedlings to participating farmers.
During his India visit, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol described the partnership as a long-term investment in India’s coffee future. Tata Consumer Products MD Sunil D’Souza and Tata Starbucks CEO Sushant Dash said the initiative marks a major stride towards securing premium Indian Arabica and uplifting farming communities across the coffee belt.