coffee research and development efforts are well organised in india through its coffee research institute, which is considered the premier research station in south east asia. it is under the control of the coffee board of india, an autonomous body, under the ministry of commerce and industry, government of india, which was set up under an act of the parliament with the objective of promoting “research, development, extension, quality up gradation, market information, and the domestic and external promotion of indian coffee.” it was established near balehonnur in chikmagalur district of karnataka, in the heartland of coffee plantations. prior to establishing this institute, a temporary research unit was established in 1915 at koppa primarily to evolve solutions to crop infestation by leaf diseases. this was followed by the field research station established by the then government of mysore, titled "mysore coffee experimental station," in 1925. this was handed over to the coffee board which was formed in 1942, and regular research started at this station from 1944. dr l. c. coleman is credited as the founder of coffee research in india. the coffee board of india is an autonomous body, functioning under the ministry of commerce and industry, government of india. the board serves as a friend, philosopher and guide of the coffee industry in india. set up under an act of the parliament of india in the year 1942, the board focuses on research, development, extension, quality up gradation, market information, and the domestic and external promotion of indian coffee.