Dr. K. Basavaraj is an eminent scientist and globally known for his contribution in the field of Coffee Quality in India. He is a pioneer in the field of Coffee Quality for last 26 years and has taken number of initiatives after taking the charge of Divisional Head, Coffee Quality at Coffee Board of India. In his leadership, Coffee Quality Division has developed more than 100 Coffee Professionals through Post Graduate Diploma in Coffee Quality Management who are providing their services to coffee arena and globally spreading aroma of Indian Coffees. On the other hand, more than 2000 people have been trained on Coffee Quality, Roasting, Cupping and Coffee Business Model through different indoor and outdoor training programmes across the country specially 5 days Kaapi Shastra Training Programme. He has introduced Quality Certification for Coffee Curing & Roasting units. Two year back, he introduced Barista Training Programme under which 32 entrepreneurs has been trained and started their Cafes and Roasting Units.
Coffee Board introduced a prestigious coffee cupping competition “Flavour of India Fine Cup Award – Cupping Competition” in 2002 and Dr. Basavaraj took lead as convener and coordinated. The competition has created a proud bench mark by achieving its 16th year with an objective of promoting the production of quality coffees and globally promoted quality of Indian coffees. In past 16 years, Indian coffee horizon improved a lot by enhancing the quality of Coffees of India and it has supported to get premiums for winning coffees.
Coffee Board as a National Body for World Coffee Event, introduced National Barista Championship in 2015 under leadership of Dr. Basavaraj. The championship is not only encouraged the Baristi of the country but also improved the domestic consumption of coffee by creating the momentum of coffee consumption in India. There is meteoric rise of the barista as profession, coffee culture and it status in country.
Under the umbrella of Coffee Board and his leadership, Coffee Quality Division and his team members are working on different aspects of Coffee of India and trying to achieve milestones.