To safeguard India’s coffee exports in light of tightening European environmental regulations, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has partnered with the Coffee Board of India to assess the carbon footprint and sequestration potential of Indian coffee plantations.
The collaboration is driven by the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation, which mandates that products exported to the EU—including coffee—must not be linked to deforested land after December 31, 2020. Non-compliance could lead to severe penalties, including fines of up to 4% of a company’s annual EU turnover and confiscation of goods.
“Collaborative studies with ISRO have been initiated to quantify carbon sequestration in shaded coffee plantations in India,” confirmed M. Senthil Kumar, Director of Research at the Coffee Board. ISRO is actively collecting satellite and geospatial data to assist in accurately measuring the environmental impact of coffee cultivation.
India’s Coffee Exports Surge despite Regulatory Pressure
The collaboration comes at a crucial time for India’s coffee industry. Exports have surged by 40% in FY25, reaching $1.8 billion—a reflection of strong global demand. However, compliance with sustainability norms is becoming essential for continued access to high-value markets like the EU.
India produced 363,000 tonnes of coffee in FY24, with cultivation spread over 4.9 lakh hectares across 12 states. Currently, 70% of India’s coffee output is Robusta, while the remaining 30% is Arabica.
Strengthening Sustainability with Innovation
In addition to its partnership with ISRO, the Coffee Board is advancing sustainability and productivity through agronomic innovations. Nutrient formulations and organic supplements have been developed to boost plant health and yield without compromising the ecological balance.
“We have developed a formulation to increase yield and enhance berry retention. There are also three high-yielding varieties currently undergoing multi-location trials,” said Senthil Kumar.
So far, the Coffee Board has released 13 varieties of Arabica and three of Robusta. Efforts are also underway to secure Geographical Indications (GI) for two more varieties. India already holds GI tags for renowned coffee types, including Coorg Arabica, Bababudangiri Arabica, Chikmagalur Arabica, Araku Valley Coffee, and Wayanad Robusta.
A Future-Ready Approach to Export Compliance
The ISRO-Coffee Board initiative reflects India’s proactive stance in aligning its agricultural exports with global sustainability mandates. By quantifying the carbon footprint of coffee cultivation, India hopes to assure European buyers of its adherence to green standards and protect its competitive edge in global markets.
As climate regulations tighten worldwide, partnerships like this are expected to become increasingly critical in enabling traditional agricultural sectors to meet modern environmental expectations while supporting export growth.