Evaluating Soil Fertility, Management Practices, and Economic Viability of Arabica Coffee: A Comparative Study from Nagaland, India

Abstract

Coffee is becoming an important income-generating crop for smallholder farmers in Nagaland. Nagaland coffee is known for its unique high-quality characteristics, but limited documentation is available about the status of its production. This survey investigated the soil physico-chemical properties, management practices, coffee yield, and income generation during 2020 to 2022 in Khar village and Veyili Keyiqha (V. K. area). Data were collected from 20 farmers through on-site field visits and personal interviews with farmers. Results showed that farmers in both locations practiced organic farming of Arabica coffee. The soil texture in both locations was found to be either loamy sand or sandy loam. Soil pH was found to be acidic. Soil available nitrogen in Khar village ranged from low to medium and very low to low in the V. K. area. Farm size was similar, with an average of 0.87 ha. Expenditure was greater in Khar with an average of ₹13400 spent mainly for labour cost and sapling purchase. Net income during the year 2020 – 2022 was similar between locations, with an average of ₹77200 ha-1. In Khar, the average coffee yield of 522 kg ha-1 in 2020 and 2021 was greater than the yield in 2022, 126 kg ha-1. Coffee yield in V. K. was similar for all three years with an average of 385 kg ha-1. Results from this study suggest that proper management practices and improving soil nutrient status are crucial to potentially increase coffee productivity for smallholder growers in the study areas.