Hassan
With coffee prices reaching profitable levels this season, incidents of coffee theft are rapidly increasing across the Malnad region. In the latest case, thieves stole 20 sacks of harvested coffee cherries from a farmer in Chinnenahalli village near Beluru, causing significant financial loss.
The victim, Madhu, a local farmer, had recently harvested ripe coffee cherries and stored them in bags near his estate close to his house. However, when he visited the plantation the next morning to begin drying the beans, he discovered that all 20 bags had been stolen. Shocked by the incident, Madhu immediately alerted neighbours and local authorities.
The stolen coffee cherries are estimated to be worth between ₹1.5 lakh and ₹2 lakh, based on current market rates. Farmers in the region say that the surge in coffee prices has made plantations a soft target for organised theft groups who strike during the night when surveillance is low.
Local growers have expressed growing concern as such incidents are becoming more frequent. Several farmers claim that despite repeated complaints, preventive measures and nighttime patrols remain insufficient to deter thieves. They argue that small and marginal farmers, who depend entirely on their coffee yield for annual income, are the most vulnerable.
Farmers have now urged the government and police department to intervene and tighten security in coffee-growing areas. They are requesting increased patrolling, installation of CCTV cameras at strategic locations, and quick action against those involved in recurring thefts.
With the coffee season in full swing and prices continuing to climb, growers fear that theft cases may rise further unless immediate measures are taken. The farming community hopes that authorities will respond promptly to safeguard their produce and ensure that their year-long labour is not lost to criminal activity.