Chikkamagaluru: Coffee growers already grappling with losses due to deficient rainfall are now facing a fresh challenge: the premature half-ripening of Robusta coffee cherries, a development they fear will affect both bean quality and next year’s crop yield.Robusta accounts for more than 60% of the coffee-growing area in Karnataka. Traditionally, harvesting begins by mid-Dec and continues until Feb. This season, however, cherries started turning red as early as mid-Oct, nearly two months ahead of schedule.The concern among growers is that many of the cherries are only partially ripe. Fully ripened beans are essential for producing high-quality parchment coffee, which commands premium prices in the market. Harvesting half-ripe cherries results in greater weight loss during processing, inferior bean quality and lower returns.The situation has been aggravated by a prolonged rainfall deficit over the past three months. Growers say the lack of moisture has reduced bean size, while in several estates across Mudigere, Chikkamagaluru, Koppa and Narasimharajapura taluks, berries are shrivelling and drying on the plants.With coffee being the primary source of annual income for many small and medium growers, the early ripening has left them in a dilemma over whether to begin harvesting immediately or wait for the cherries to mature fully.Growers attribute the phenomenon to erratic weather conditions, including spells of unseasonal rain followed by bright sunshine during Sept and Oct. They say the rainfall deficit during the crucial berry development stage, coupled with intermittent showers, appears to have triggered the premature colour change.“It is like a premature birth. Due to the vagaries of weather, coffee is ripening much earlier than usual,” said Balakrishna Baluru, president of the Coffee Growers Association’s Mudigere taluk unit.He warned that premature harvesting would not only compromise quality but also affect plant health and the following year’s crop. “The rainfall deficit has impacted two years’ crops. The govt should come to the aid of growers,” he said.Baluru also alleged that despite suffering significant losses, Mudigere taluk has not been included in the list of drought-hit areas.“We have submitted a memorandum to the district administration seeking compensation, declaration of Mudigere as a drought-hit taluk and waiver of crop loans. If the government fails to respond, we will intensify our protest,” he added.Officials acknowledged receiving reports of early ripening and have advised growers to undertake need-based selective harvesting rather than premature picking in order to maintain bean quality.The officials said they have received reports of early ripening and have advised growers to take up need-based selective picking and avoid premature gleaning to maintain quality.