THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 12, 2026

From the lush coffee plantations of Koraput in Odisha’s Eastern Ghats to the global diplomatic stage of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Tiger Bright, a premium Arabica coffee cultivated by tribal farmers, has travelled a remarkable journey, putting a distinctive taste of the state before an international audience.

The coffee, gifted to guests at the BRICS Summit, has emerged as more than a premium beverage, showcasing the potential of tribal enterprise, value addition and sustainable livelihoods while carrying the identity of Koraput far beyond its geographical boundaries.

For the tribal communities associated with its cultivation, the journey of Tiger Bright represents an opportunity taking root in the hills, with farmers increasingly becoming part of an organised value chain and a local agricultural product finding a place on a prestigious international platform.

The story begins in the coffee-growing areas of Koraput, particularly the Nandapur and Machhkund zones, where 100 per cent Arabica coffee is cultivated at elevations of around 920-950 metres. The plantations grow naturally under the shade of mango, jackfruit and citrus trees, creating a distinctive agro-ecological environment suited to coffee cultivation.

The cherries are handpicked at peak ripeness and carefully processed, while the Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL) provides end-to-end support covering procurement, drying, grading, processing and marketing.

The organised journey of Koraput Coffee gained momentum with the launch of the brand on September 11, 2019, with the objective of creating a structured market for coffee cultivated by tribal farmers and strengthening the value chain so that a greater share of the economic benefit could reach producing communities.

Since then, the initiative has evolved from a relatively small intervention into a growing coffee ecosystem, with production, procurement, processing, branding and retail expanding alongside one another.

The transformation is reflected in procurement figures. During the 2025-26 season, TDCCOL procured a record 102.54 metric tonnes of coffee fruit, nearly three times the 34.68 MT procured in 2022-23 and significantly higher than the 34.41 MT recorded in 2024-25.

The growth has benefited around 360 tribal families, underlining the increasing importance of coffee cultivation as a livelihood opportunity in the region.

The procurement system has also undergone changes aimed at making transactions more transparent and farmer-friendly. TDCCOL has moved from traditional cash transactions to direct digital bank transfers, transferring Rs 1.07 crore directly into the bank accounts of tribal coffee farmers.

The initiative has also included 71 tribal women farmers, adding an important dimension of inclusion to the expanding coffee economy. Smart Cards have been adopted by 45.7 per cent of coffee growers, facilitating farmer identification and digital tracking across the supply chain.

Tiger Bright has meanwhile developed an identity of its own among coffee consumers. The premium Arabica blend carries bright tropical citrus notes of orange, lemon and sweet lime, complemented by undertones of caramel, chocolate and cocoa.

Grown under natural shade and processed under stringent hygiene standards, the coffee is sun-dried on raised wooden beds. A carefully balanced combination of light, medium and dark roasts contributes to consistency in taste and gives Tiger Bright a distinctive flavour profile closely associated with the quality of the beans and the character of their place of origin.

The coffee has also earned recognition at the national level. Koraput Coffee won two Fine Cup Awards at KYK 2024 and secured fourth rank in the Coffee Board's Flavour of India Fine Cup 2024, strengthening the credentials of a product that was once primarily known within its region.

The journey from plantation to consumer has been supported by the expansion of retail infrastructure. TDCCOL has established eight Koraput Coffee brand cafes across Odisha and Delhi, including one at NALCO Damanjodi, creating additional avenues for marketing and consumer engagement.

During 2023-24, these cafes generated sales of Rs 1.64 crore. The brand has also diversified its offerings, with Tiger Bright, roasted beans and instant coffee products allowing consumers to experience Koraput Coffee in different forms.

More than 10,634 packs of Tiger Bright have been commercialised, indicating growing demand for a branded premium product rather than coffee being sold merely as an agricultural commodity.

Against this backdrop, the presence of Tiger Bright at the BRICS Summit assumes particular significance. With leaders, delegates and media representatives from major emerging economies converging in New Delhi, the summit provided a prominent platform to showcase India's diverse economic and cultural strengths.

The inclusion of coffee grown by tribal farmers from Koraput offered a compelling example of how regional products can become ambassadors of local communities and rural economies.

The journey also reflects a broader shift in the approach to tribal livelihood development, with greater emphasis being placed on processing, branding, quality enhancement and market access rather than limiting communities to the production of raw commodities.

When coffee cherries are transformed into a branded premium product, the economic value generated by the crop extends across a much wider chain, potentially creating stronger market opportunities for farmers while offering consumers a product with a distinct geographical and social identity.

From the shaded plantations of Nandapur and Machhkund to the diplomatic tables of the BRICS Summit, Tiger Bright has thus become a symbol of Koraput's emerging coffee economy — demonstrating how a product rooted in tribal soil can acquire a national identity and find a place on the global stage.