About the Association

The apex voice of Karnataka's planters since 1958

A non-profit representative body dedicated to safeguarding the interests of plantation growers while promoting sustainable agriculture, innovation and the long-term growth of the industry.

Planters walking through a hillside estate

The estates of the Western Ghats

Our Story

Rooted in the land, growing with our members

The Karnataka Planters' Association was founded in 1958 by a group of growers who recognised that a shared voice would serve the planting community far better than isolated effort. From those early meetings grew an institution that has stood with its members through every challenge.

Across the decades KPA has advocated on labour, taxation and commercial matters, carrying the concerns of estates large and small to policymakers and industry alike always guided by the interests of those who work the land.

Today the Association continues that mission, blending the wisdom of tradition with the demands of a modern, sustainable and globally connected industry.

What Guides Us

Our mission and vision

Mission

Strengthening the sector

To strengthen Karnataka's plantation sector by advocating for growers, encouraging scientific and sustainable cultivation practices, fostering collaboration, and preserving the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

Vision

Among the world's finest

To position Karnataka's plantation produce among the world's finest through quality, sustainability, innovation and ethical cultivation ensuring lasting prosperity for present and future generations of planters.

What We Do

Four pillars of service to our members

Advocacy & Representation

We represent our members at state and national levels engaging government departments, commodity boards, financial institutions and policymakers on labour, taxation, market conditions and climate-related challenges so the voice of Karnataka's planters is heard.

Scientific & Technical Support

We collaborate with leading research institutions, scientists and industry experts to provide practical guidance on crop management, pest and disease control, climate resilience, irrigation and emerging agricultural technologies.

Sustainability & Stewardship

Our members are committed to responsible, shade-grown cultivation that balances agricultural productivity with biodiversity conservation, soil health and water resource management across the ecologically vital Western Ghats.

Community & Knowledge Sharing

Through conferences, workshops, seminars and networking we foster collaboration and innovation and we support plantation families with scholarships for the children of estate employees and welfare initiatives.

Achievements

Due to the efforts put in by the KPA in representing the problems of the industry both before to the members in particular and the industry in general. The main achievements in this regard right from the inception of the KPA is listed herein below:

Misty plantation slopes of the Western Ghats

1978-79

Export Duty on Tea removed

Export Duty of Rs. 2/- kg. on Tea was removed (1978-79).

1983

Wealth Tax exemption on plantations

The Union Government exempted the levy of Wealth Tax on Plantation from the Assessment Year 1983.

1987-88

Export Duty on Coffee abolished

The Union government abolished Export Duty on Coffee in the year 1987-88.

1993

Out of the Central Excise net

Coffee and Tea was excluded in the purview of the Central Excise w.e.f 28-02-1993.

1995-96

Agriculture Income Tax rates reduced

In the year 1995-96 State Budget, the maximum rate of Agriculture Income Tax for non-corporate Sector was reduced from 55% to 45% and for Companies, from 65% to 60%.

2002-03

AIT relief for smaller coffee holdings

In view of the financial crisis faced by the plantation industry, the Government of Karnataka in its State budget 2002-03, exempted the coffee holdings of 50 acres and below from payment of AIT. This exemption was continued for a period of 5 years from 2000-01.

2002-03

Special Coffee Term Loan Scheme

The Union Government introduced the Special Coffee Term Loan Scheme for the benefit of the Coffee Growers who were not able to repay the Bank Loan due to the crisis in the industry (2002-03).

2005

SCTL package modified

The SCTL package was further modified as per which, 2/3rd of the interest liability during the three - year moratorium period was absorbed equally by the Central Government and the Banks (2005).

2006

Coffee in the Vidharba Package

Coffee was included in the Prime Minister's Vidharba Package as per which interest due on all outstanding loans as on 1st July, 2006 is exempted.

2006-07

Individuals exempted from AIT

The Karnataka Budget for the year 2006-07 exempted the individuals from the payment of Agriculture Income Tax. The maximum rate of AIT for Companies was reduced from 50% to 35% and for Firms from 40% to 30%.

2024

GST Exemption on Black Pepper

Following sustained representations by the Association, the GST Council exempted black pepper sold directly by agriculturists from GST in its meeting on 21 December 2024. This decision provided significant relief to coffee and pepper growers by reducing their tax burden.

1958

Year Established

750

Active Members

70000

Acres Represented

Districts Covered

Governance

Board of Trustees

Our Trustees provide continuity and long-term guidance, safeguarding the Association's assets and enduring interests while upholding the values on which it was founded.

Mr. M. Salman Baseer

Chairman

Mr. M.C. Kariappa

Vice-Chairman

Mr. Yeshwant R. Gurjer

Trustee

Mr. A. Arvind Rao

Immediate Past Chairman

Our Leadership

The Executive Committee

The Association is governed by an elected Executive Committee of experienced planters who steward its work on behalf of the membership and represent the sector before government, industry and the wider community.

Mr. M. Salman Baseer

Chairman

Mr. M.C. Kariappa

Vice-Chairman

Mr. Yeshwant R. Gurjer

Committee Member

Mr. Sameer Gurjer

Committee Member

Mr. A.P. Rajaram

Committee Member

Mrs. A. Namitha Rao

Committee Member

Mr. P.M. Pavan Monnappa

Committee Member

Mr. K.P. Appaiah

Committee Member

Mr. A. Nanda Belliappa

Committee Member

Mr. Krishanth Chowdlu

Committee Member

Mr. Vishal Ponnappa

Committee Member

Join Us

Grow alongside the region's planting community

Whether you grow coffee, tea, pepper, cardamom or rubber, the Association stands with you. Reach out to learn about membership and the services we offer our members.

Enquire about membership

Head Office P.B. No 18, Spencer Road, Chikmagalur – 577101

Email karnatakaplanters@gmail.com

Phone 08262 – 231386, 238546

Leadership

Past Chairmen

Since 1958 the Association has been guided by planters drawn from across the coffee, pepper, cardamom and rubber districts of Karnataka. Each served a one-year term as Chairman.

1958–59 — 2025–26

1950s2 terms

1958–59 Mr. U.K. Lakshman Gowda

1959–60 Mr. U.K. Lakshman Gowda

1960s10 terms

1960–61 Mr. R. Radcliffe

1961–62 Mr. C.I. Machia

1962–63 Mr. P.G. Gurjer

1963–64 Mr. M.M. Appaiya

1964–65 Mr. T.C. Manjappa Setty

1965–66 Mr. D. Sivappa

1966–67 Mr. M.D. Narayan

1967–68 Mr. A.M. Basave Gowda

1968–69 Mr. B.S. Kushalappa

1969–70 Mr. Tika A.S. Bedi

1970s10 terms

1970–71 Mr. M.S. Krishnappa

1971–72 Mr. K.S. Vaidyanathan

1972–73 Mr. A.C. Shive Gowda

1973–74 Mr. M.B. Appaya

1974–75 Mr. M.L. Gurjer

1975–76 Mr. K.S. Eswaran

1976–77 Mr. M.D. Balakrishna

1977–78 Mr. K.A. Ayappa

1978–79 Mr. A. Ramesh Rao

1979–80 Mr. D.H. Hegde

1980s10 terms

1980–81 Mr. K.C. Ravindran

1981–82 Mr. A.D. Chandra Shekar

1982–83 Dr. James Rodrigues

1983–84 Mr. I.J.J. Rebello

1984–85 Mr. D. Mohan Dasappa

1985–86 Mr. M.S. Vittal Rau

1986–87 Mr. T.W.V. Rasquinha

1987–88 Mr. D.V. Vishwanath

1988–89 Mr. H.D. Rame Gowda

1989–90 Mr. Anil Kumar Bhandari

1990s10 terms

1990–91 Mr. C.P. Kariappa

1991–92 Mr. D.A. Umapathi Gowda

1992–93 Mr. C.S. Machia

1993–94 Mr. M.S. Channakeshav Gowda

1994–95 Mr. K.P. Uthappa

1995–96 Mr. Shireesh Gurjer

1996–97 Mr. S.A. Mohsin

1997–98 Mr. B.K. Muthana

1998–99 Mr. C.N. Nataraj

1999–00 Mr. D. Vinod Sivappa

2000s10 terms

2000–01 Mr. Peter Mathias

2001–02 Mr. A.S. Muthanna

2002–03 Mr. Cherian Philip

2003–04 Mr. A.S. Shankare Gowda

2004–05 Mr. AL. RM. Nagappan

2005–06 Mr. SP. Muthuraman

2006–07 Mr. Jeffry Rebello

2007–08 Mr. C.M. Pemmaiah

2008–09 Mr. Ajoy Thipaiah

2009–10 Mr. K.M. Nanaiah

2010s10 terms

2010–11 Mr. Sahadev Balakrishna

2011–12 Mr. Marvin Rodrigues

2012–13 Mr. Nishant R. Gurjer

2013–14 Mr. D. Govindappa Jayaram

2014–15 Mr. K. Kurian

2015–16 Mr. Baba P.S. Bedi

2016–17 Dr. M.M. Chengappa

2017–18 Mr. H.T. Pramod

2018–19 Mr. M.B. Ganapathy

2019–20 Mr. Shirish Vijayendra

2020s5 terms

2020–21 Mr. S. Appadurai

2021–22 Mr. N. Ramanathan

2022–23 Mr. Mahesh Shashidhar

2023–24 Mr. K.G. Rajeev

2024–25 Mr. A. Arvind Rao