Sikkim Launches India's First Himalayan Coffee District

Gangtok: Sikkim officially kicked off India's first Himalayan Specialty Coffee Impact District in North Sikkim on June 24. Minister for Forest, Environment and Wildlife Pintso Namgyal Lepcha launched the project at the KVK Hall in Mangan. The state wants to build a global coffee brand.

This initiative links the Sikkim Department of Horticulture with California-based AgrImpact Ventures, the SocioLadder Group, and the Coffee Board of India. The project aims to build a full supply chain. This includes high-altitude nurseries, farmer training, and international sales. North Sikkim has the right soil and climate for premium beans.

The coffee will sit alongside the state's existing cardamom and mandarin crops to diversify the local economy. Minister Lepcha noted, "North Sikkim's forests, fertile soils and farming communities are the region's greatest assets, and the initiative is intended to convert those strengths into long-term prosperity for local families."

Local officials expect farmers to see income growth by the first harvest. The government will handle land access and policy, while private partners provide the technical expertise and market reach. The Coffee Board plans to supply quality seeds and training to guarantee success.