WAYANAD (Kerala), Sept 19: Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and her daughter, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Friday engaged directly with coffee growers in this hilly district of Kerala, listening to their grievances and challenges at a time when the industry is grappling with multiple crises.
The visit was part of a broader outreach programme aimed at strengthening the Congress’s connect with grassroots communities. At the Regional Coffee Research Station in Chundale, the two leaders were briefed about the hardships being faced by growers, including erratic weather patterns due to climate change, increasing input costs, fluctuating market prices, and a lack of adequate institutional support. Farmers expressed concerns over falling productivity and rising debt burdens, issues that have become central to the agricultural distress in the region.
Sonia Gandhi, who currently serves as a Rajya Sabha MP, and Priyanka Gandhi, who represents Wayanad in the Lok Sabha, were taken on a guided tour of the research facility by the station’s Joint Director, Dr. M Karuthamani, along with Deputy Directors Dr. Rudragowda and Dr. Basavaraj Chulaki. The leaders interacted with experts about ongoing research into disease-resistant coffee varieties and sustainable farming practices, highlighting the importance of science-led interventions to safeguard the livelihoods of coffee planters.
Following the station visit, the two leaders travelled to the Swaminathan Research Foundation in Kalpetta, where they toured its nursery and plantations. They also symbolically planted saplings, reinforcing their message of environmental sustainability. In a video interaction, they spoke with the Foundation’s chairperson, noted scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, who apprised them of the institution’s various activities, including initiatives to empower small and marginal farmers, promote climate-resilient agriculture, and support women in farming households.
The Congress leaders stressed that agriculture in Wayanad, particularly coffee cultivation, is not only an economic backbone of the region but also an intrinsic part of its cultural and social fabric. They assured the growers that their concerns would be taken up at appropriate forums, underlining the party’s commitment to protecting the interests of farmers in the face of mounting pressures.
Sonia Gandhi arrived in Wayanad on Friday along with her son and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, who has been regularly engaging with his former constituency after losing it in 2024 but continuing to support its development needs. Priyanka, who now represents Wayanad, has been touring the district since Thursday, meeting people across villages and holding consultations with local stakeholders.