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BENGALURU/CHIKKAMAGALURU, India – Kelachandra Coffee, India’s largest privately held coffee plantation company, announces the appointment of Dr. J.S. Nagaraja as the new Head of Research and Development (R&D). A distinguished researcher and administrator, Dr. Nagaraja brings over three decades of specialized experience in soil science, post-harvest technology, and sustainable coffee cultivation, following an accomplished career that culminated in his role as Joint Director of Research at the Coffee Board of India.
Jagan Thimaiah, Executive Director (ED) at Kelachandra Coffee, welcomed the appointment, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Dr. Nagaraja to the Kelachandra family. His track record at the intersection of agronomy, sustainability, and innovation will be instrumental as we chart the next phase of Kelachandra’s growth. At a time when climate change and conscious consumption are reshaping our industry, his leadership will anchor our work on carbon sequestration, scientific validation of our specialty micro-lots, and the global positioning of our coffee as an authentically eco-friendly brand.”
Dr. Nagaraja joins Kelachandra Coffee after an illustrious tenure with the Coffee Board of India, where he served since 1991 and rose to become the Joint Director of Research. Over the years, he has led critical research on soil chemistry, coffee quality enhancement, agrochemical analysis, and technology transfer, guiding scientific teams and strengthening the national research agenda.
In his new role at Kelachandra, Dr. Nagaraja will spearhead the company’s R&D strategy across its expansive plantation network. His responsibilities include optimising soil and leaf analysis, refining fertilizer use, advancing specialty coffee development, strengthening microbiology-based disease management, and driving long-term sustainability initiatives, including carbon footprint and sequestration studies.
Dr. Nagaraja, Head of R&D at Kelachandra Coffee, said, “I am honoured to be part of Kelachandra Coffee at this pivotal moment in its journey. The company’s commitment to pairing India’s rich coffee heritage with a rigorous, science-led approach to sustainability deeply resonates with me. In the months ahead, my focus will be on strengthening our research agenda around soil health, climate resilience, and carbon sequestration, while advancing tools such as genetic fingerprinting to validate the uniqueness of our coffees. Together, we aim to position Kelachandra as a global reference point for superior, climate-smart, and ultimately carbon-neutral coffee.”
A graduate of the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, with a Ph.D. in Soil Science & Agricultural Chemistry from UAS Dharwad, Dr. Nagaraja is widely recognised for developing the DRIS (Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System) norms for Arabica coffee, a pioneering nutrient-modelling framework that transformed fertilizer recommendations by integrating soil and leaf analysis and driving more efficient, sustainable nutrient management for growers across India.
At the Coffee Board of India, he also led the Post-Harvest Technology Division, spearheading advances in processing techniques and coffee effluent management that strengthened both cup quality and environmental stewardship. In addition, as an APEDA-appointed evaluator for organic farming certification bodies, he has played a key role in upholding rigorous standards for sustainable and organic agriculture in the country.
About Kelachandra Coffee
Kelachandra Coffee, a division of the historic Kelachandra Group (est. 1786), cultivates premium shade-grown, hand-harvested Arabica and Robusta across its estates in Karnataka and Kerala. Leveraging advanced agronomy, precision soil and nutrient management, and state-of-the-art post-harvest processing, the company ensures consistent quality from crop to cup.
With globally recognised certifications, including Rainforest Alliance, EUDR compliance, and rigorous internal traceability protocols. Kelachandra Coffee produces sustainably grown, ethically sourced beans that meet the highest global standards. We export to Japan, Denmark, Norway, Australia, Germany, and the Middle East, supplying specialty roasters and premium retailers directly and through trusted traders, while also serving leading premium roasters in India.
