KATHMANDU: To enhance the quality and quantity of coffee produced in the country, National Tea and Coffee Development Board (NTCDB) is working on coffee development and research programmes. According to Binay Kumar Mishra, executive director at NTCDB, it is granting 50 per cent fund required for coffee pulper machine for coffee farming. The board is also conducting study on coffee in two districts. “For the expansion of coffee farming, we are granting 50 per cent fund in coffee plants’ distribution to farmers,” said Mishra adding that the board is planning to build up a coffee nursery with 20,000 coffee plantations. He also informed about the Rs 11 million fund granted through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives under which coffee will be granted Rs 10 million while tea will get Rs 1 million for its development and promotion. Recent NTCDB data show that 35 per cent of coffee is consumed in the internal market while 65 per cent is exported. Major importers of Nepali Coffee are Japan, Korea, Holland, Belgium and other European countries and the USA. Nepal produces top grade filter coffee, with its own brand ‘Himalayan Specialty Coffee’, but experts feel that it would capture the world market if it had a special logo of its own. The main coffee growing districts in Nepal are Lalitpur, Gulmi, Palpa, Kaski, Kavrepalanchowk, Sindhupalchowk and Arghakhanchi while farmers in Baglung, Parbat, Gorkha, Lamjung, Tanahun, Rasuwa, Dhading, Nuwakot, Okhaldunga, Ramechhap and Ilam districts also have begun to grow coffee. Nepali tea has its own brand in the international market since 2001. Meanwhile, Nepali coffee still awaits permission for its logo and trademark launch in the international market. According to Mishra, the Department of Industry is serious about granting NTCDB the permission to launch the coffee logo and trademark.