Veteran coffee scientist to drive sustainability, soil innovation and specialty coffee research across India’s largest private plantations
Kelachandra Coffee, India’s largest privately owned coffee plantation company, has appointed leading coffee scientist Dr J.S. Nagaraja as its new Head of Research and Development, strengthening its long-term commitment to sustainability, scientific rigour and climate-resilient cultivation.
Announcing the appointment, Jagan Thimaiah, Executive Director at Kelachandra Coffee, said the company was entering a defining phase in its growth. “Dr Nagaraja’s track record at the intersection of agronomy, sustainability and innovation will be instrumental as we chart the next phase of Kelachandra’s growth,” he noted. “His leadership will anchor our work on carbon sequestration, scientific validation of specialty micro-lots, and elevating our global eco-friendly positioning.”
Dr Nagaraja brings over three decades of experience in soil chemistry, post-harvest technology, nutrient modelling and sustainable coffee production. He previously served in several senior roles at the Coffee Board of India, ultimately rising to Joint Director of Research. Over his 34-year tenure, he led national research initiatives on soil health, coffee quality enhancement, agrochemical analysis, microbiology-driven disease management and technology transfer.
In his new role, Dr Nagaraja will oversee R&D operations across Kelachandra’s extensive plantations in Karnataka and Kerala. His mandate includes enhancing soil and leaf diagnostics, refining fertiliser strategies, advancing specialty coffee development, expanding microbiology-based disease management, and deepening the company’s climate resilience efforts—including carbon footprint analysis and sequestration studies.
“I am honoured to join Kelachandra Coffee at this pivotal moment,” Dr Nagaraja said. “The company’s commitment to pairing India’s coffee heritage with a science-led sustainability agenda deeply resonates with me. My focus will be on strengthening our work in soil health, climate resilience and carbon sequestration, while advancing techniques such as genetic fingerprinting to validate the uniqueness of our coffees.”
A PhD holder in Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry from UAS Dharwad, Dr Nagaraja is recognised for creating the DRIS norms for Arabica, a pioneering diagnostic framework that transformed nutrient management for growers nationwide. He also led advancements in post-harvest processing and coffee effluent management, and served as an APEDA evaluator for organic farming certification bodies.
Founded in 1786, Kelachandra Coffee manages premium shade-grown Arabica and Robusta plantations supported by precision agronomy, advanced processing infrastructure and strict traceability protocols. With certifications including Rainforest Alliance and EUDR compliance, the company supplies specialty roasters and premium retailers in Japan, Europe, Australia, the Middle East and India.
The appointment marks a significant step in Kelachandra’s ambition to position itself as a global leader in climate-smart, high-quality and research-driven coffee production.
