Kelachandra Coffee appoints Dr. J.S. Nagaraja as Head of R&D

Kelachandra Coffee has announced the appointment of Dr. J.S. Nagaraja as the new Head of Research and Development. A distinguished researcher and administrator, Dr. Nagaraja brings over three decades of specialised experience in soil chemistry, post-harvest technology, and sustainable coffee cultivation and its quality enhancement, following an accomplished career that culminated in his role as Joint Director of Research at the Coffee Board of India.

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.

Welcoming the appointment, Jagan Thimaiah, Executive Director (ED) at Kelachandra Coffee, stated, “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.”

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 fertiliser use, advancing specialty coffee development, strengthening microbiology-based disease management and driving long-term sustainability initiatives, including carbon footprint and sequestration studies.

“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,” said Dr. Nagaraja.