Context
- Recently, the Coffee Board of India developed the Indian Coffee Sustainability Standard and Certification Scheme (INDICOFS) to establish a structured sustainability certification system, with a focus on India’s traditional shade-grown coffee cultivation.
About INDICOFS
- INDICOFS is a sustainability standard designed specifically for Indian coffee production. It covers Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aspects, including:
- Economic sustainability
- Resource utilisation
- Crop production practices
- Environmental conservation
- Human well-being
Three-Level Certification Framework
| Level | Nature | Key Feature |
| Level 1 | Self-Assessment | Growers assess their own sustainability practices |
| Level 2 | Third-Party Verification | Independent agencies verify compliance |
| Level 3 | Benchmarking | Practices are assessed against internationally recognised sustainability frameworks |
About Coffee Board of India
- Statutory Status: Established under the Coffee Act VII of 1942.
- Administrative Ministry: Functions as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
- Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC: Coffee Board of India |
Q. With reference to the Indian Coffee Sustainability Standard and Certification Scheme (INDICOFS), consider the following statements:
1. It has a three-level certification framework progressing from self-assessment to third-party verification and international benchmarking.
2. The scheme focuses only on the environmental sustainability of coffee cultivation.
3. The Coffee Board of India is associated with the implementation of the sustainability certification framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. 1 and 3 only
• Statement 1 is correct: INDICOFS follows three progressive levels—self-assessment, third-party verification and international benchmarking.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: The framework is broader than environmental sustainability and incorporates environmental, social and economic/ESG dimensions.
• Statement 3 is correct: The Coffee Board of India has developed the sustainability standards and is involved in implementing the certification framework.