Madikeri, March 6 -- In the heartland of coffee cultivation, Kodagu, this year's harvest tells a tale of mixed fortunes.

While coffee production has seen a significant dip due to erratic weather patterns, farmers are finding relief in skyrocketing prices that have touched record highs. However, rising labour and maintenance costs continue to be a concern, particularly for small-scale growers.

A season of contrasts

Kodagu's major coffee-growing taluks - Madikeri, Virajpet and Ponnampet - are currently in the thick of the Robusta coffee harvest. However, due to inconsistent rainfall last year, coffee yields have plummeted by 30 percent to 50 percent in several plantations. Some lucky farmers have reported decent harvests, but for most, e...