Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region: Quality Upgradation or Certification: Support for Eco-Certification or Organic Certification

Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region: Quality Upgradation / Certification: Support for Eco-Certification / Organic Certification helps coffee growers in the North East improve product quality and reach premium specialty markets by getting eco-certification. The scheme gives financial support to SHGs and tribal grower collectives to cover certification costs, so they can earn better returns and follow long-term farming practices. The Coffee Board has invited applications under the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP) for the 2026-27 financial year, and the last date for submitting applications is 30 August 2026.

Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region: Quality Upgradation or Certification: Support for Eco-Certification or Organic Certification - Introduction

Coffee Development Programme in North Eastern Region: Quality Upgradation / Certification: Support for Eco-Certification / Organic Certification is a sub-component of the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP). The Coffee Board manages the scheme under the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It supports tribal growers and small-scale collectives who want to enter specialty coffee markets and produce certified coffee.

The scheme encourages growers to come together as SHGs or grower collectives, adopt eco-friendly practices and later build common shared facilities for better growth. Support is available for Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird friendly or Shade grown coffee certification, and other similar programs. Certification obtained as per the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards is eligible even when the group also holds international certifications like EU Regulation, NOP (USA) or JAS (Japan).

Key Information

Benefits

Scale of Subsidy

This incentive works as backend support after the group successfully obtains certification for its estates. For organic farming, the costs paid during the in-conversion period are also covered. The subsidy amount is released directly into the bank account of the SHG or grower collective through PFMS.

Eligibility

1. The applicant should be an SHG or a collective of tribal growers whose plantations are certified under recognized sustainability and quality standards.
2. Support covers certifications like Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird friendly / Shade grown coffee, or other equivalent programs.
3. For eco or organic certification support, the group must be certified as per National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards, even if it also holds international certifications like EU Regulation, NOP (USA) or JAS (Japan).
4. The certificate must be obtained only from certification agencies accredited by the respective certification programs during the plan period.

Application Process

Under the current ICDP guidelines, the application process is online. The steps are given below.

STEP 1 - Register online on the Coffee Board website at coffeeboard.gov.in as a coffee grower. The applicant should be a registered grower or should register before applying.

STEP 2 - After the grower registration is approved, submit the online application for organic or eco-certification support and upload the required documents.

STEP 3 - The concerned JLO / SLO office will scrutinize the documents, carry out a field inspection to verify the books and records, and prepare a Physical Verification Report.

STEP 4 - The JLO / SLO will forward the claim along with the Physical Verification Report and other records to the concerned Deputy Director (Extension).

STEP 5 - After scrutinizing the claim and records and confirming the admissibility of the claim, the Deputy Director (Extension) will release the subsidy amount to the beneficiary bank account through PFMS. Small growers who cannot apply online may submit physical applications at Coffee Board offices, and the office will upload them on the portal within 7 days.

Documents

Keep the following documents ready when applying for the subsidy:

• Application cum claim statement and self-declaration in the prescribed format.
• Certificate of incorporation or registration, memorandum of association, and complete list of members of the SHG, grower collective or cooperative.
• Copy of the certificate issued by the accredited certification agency.
• Original invoice towards the cost of certification.
• Copy of the Aadhaar seeded bank pass book showing the account number, bank name, branch and IFSC code.

References

Coffee Board ICDP Schemes and Notifications | Coffee Board MTF Period Schemes | Grower Registration via UMANG | Coffee Board Official Website

FAQ's

Which eco-certifications qualify for support under this program?

Support is available for Organic, Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance, UTZ Certified, Bird friendly / Shade grown coffee, and other equivalent programs that match the sustainability criteria.

Can a tribal grower apply individually?

No, this scheme requires growers to form an SHG or a collective. This approach helps small growers build shared infrastructure and ensures long-term sustainability.

How is the 75% organic subsidy paid out?

The subsidy is 75% of the certification cost subject to a ceiling of ₹2,00,000, spread over the plan period or the conversion period, whichever is less. The amount is released to the group bank account through PFMS.

Are international certifications accepted?

Yes, but the project must also be certified under NPOP standards to be eligible for the subsidy.

Is the application process online?

Yes. Applications are submitted online on the Coffee Board portal at coffeeboard.gov.in. Small growers who cannot apply online can submit physical applications at Coffee Board offices.

What causes an application to be rejected?

Any attempt to influence the process through gifts, coercion, or providing incorrect information will lead to immediate rejection and possible legal action.

Is there a guarantee of funding?

No. The release of the subsidy depends on the availability of funds during the specific financial year of the application.