Bengaluru: Kelachandra Coffee, India’s largest privately held coffee plantation company, has announced the appointment of Dr. J.S. Nagaraja as its new Head of Research and Development (R&D). A highly respected authority in soil science, post-harvest technology, and sustainable coffee cultivation, Dr. Nagaraja brings over three decades of expertise, most recently serving as Joint Director of Research at the Coffee Board of India.
Welcoming the appointment, Jagan Thimaiah, Executive Director (ED) at Kelachandra Coffee, said, “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 at the Coffee Board of India beginning in 1991, during which he led key research initiatives in soil chemistry, coffee quality improvement, agrochemical analysis, and technology transfer. He played a significant role in strengthening national research frameworks and mentoring scientific teams.
In his new role, Dr. Nagaraja will lead Kelachandra’s R&D efforts across its extensive plantation operations. His mandate includes optimising soil and leaf analysis, enhancing fertilizer efficiency, advancing specialty coffee development, strengthening microbiology-led disease management, and driving long-term sustainability programmes such as carbon footprint assessment and sequestration studies.
Commenting on his appointment, 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 pioneering DRIS (Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System) norms for Arabica coffee. This nutrient-modelling breakthrough redefined fertilizer recommendations by integrating soil and leaf analysis, enabling more efficient and sustainable nutrient management across India’s coffee sector.
During his tenure at the Coffee Board of India, he also led the Post-Harvest Technology Division, driving advancements in processing methods and effluent management to improve both cup quality and environmental outcomes. As an APEDA-appointed evaluator for organic farming certification bodies, Dr. Nagaraja has additionally helped uphold high standards for sustainable and organic agriculture in India.
With this strategic appointment, Kelachandra Coffee reinforces its commitment to scientific innovation, environmental stewardship, and elevating India’s position on the global coffee map.
