Coffee farmer Vanthala Raju was 21 when he applied to get his rights over forest land recognised in 2014. It took two years for an official to acknowledge his application, four more for processing. Throughout this period, he faced harassment from authorities.

Changing climate has affected harvests, says Raju, an arts graduate who grows coffee on nine acres. Erratic rains and extreme rainfall events alongside increasing heat have increased work and reduced output and quality.

When it pours, the buds retain moisture and the resultant crop could rot. In cases of extreme rainfall, they just fall to the ground. Heat dries up the buds, and they wilt, turning useless.

Raju is not alone. Climate change is affecting coffee harvests across the world, leading to declining yields and quality, and rising prices.

A new analysis by Climate Central released on February 18 shows that 25 coffee-growing countries – accounting for about 97% of global coffee production – experienced more “coffee-harming heat” during the past five years because of climate change.

On average, India saw 30 additional days of such heat. Kerala saw 65 additional days, the highest increase. Andhra Pradesh saw fewer additional days (34), but had the highest overall days with temperatures above 30 degrees celsius at 257.

The area suitable for coffee...

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