Revolutionising water management in Karnataka’s coffee farms

Innovative technologies like Aquatron offer sustainable solutions to address water scarcity, ensuring environmental resilience

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

Coffee cultivation, while being a lifeline for millions of farmers worldwide, is inherently water-intensive. Coffee plants, especially during their flowering and fruiting stages, require significant water to thrive. In regions like Karnataka, known for its coffee plantations, this high water demand often exacerbates water scarcity, leading to environmental degradation and resource depletion.

Addressing these challenges requires innovative and sustainable solutions and technology offers a promising path forward. Excessive water usage in coffee farming presents a growing challenge, particularly in regions with limited freshwater resources. Traditional irrigation methods often result in inefficiencies, leading to over-extraction from groundwater sources and posing a serious threat to local ecosystems. While many coffee growers in Karnataka have started adopting sustainable practices to reduce their water footprint, achieving true sustainability demands innovative technological solutions. “We are actively exploring sustainable methods for coffee production and procurement,” said a representative from the Coffee Board of Karnataka. “Our aim is to reduce water consumption and ensure environmentally responsible practices that maintain the balance between productivity and sustainability.” This highlights a broader commitment within the coffee industry to address its environmental impact. One such solution comes from Aquatron, a patented wastewater treatment technology that revolutionises water management.

Aquatron operates on the principles of resonance physics, using Specific Frequencies of Dissociation (SFOD) to break contaminants in wastewater into their elemental forms. The result is non-hazardous sludge and clean, reusable water that meets stringent regulatory standards, aligning with global Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) norms. Speaking to News Tail about the potential of Aquatron in agriculture, Alok Sharma, Co-Promoter and CEO of Scalene Livprotec, said, “This is a solution for industries and agriculture alike. By enabling the reuse of treated water, it reduces reliance on freshwater sources and offers a sustainable approach to water management. This technology is designed to address the challenges of resource scarcity while supporting the circular economy.” Unlike conventional wastewater treatment methods that generate highly concentrated brine, this method produces non-concentrated reject water, which can be recirculated into the system.

This significantly reduces energy consumption by eliminating the need for energy-intensive evaporators and lowering operational pressures. The automation and minimal reliance on chemicals further enhance its efficiency, reducing both costs and environmental impact. For Karnataka’s coffee industry, this transformation could be a game-changer. By integrating this technology into coffee farming and processing, growers can address key environmental challenges such as water scarcity and contamination. The ability to reuse treated water directly supports sustainable farming practices while maintaining the quality and yield of coffee crops. “We believe sustainable technologies are vital for the future of agriculture,” added the Coffee Board representative.

“With its focus on water reuse and reduced dependency on freshwater sources, it offers a viable solution to the water challenges faced by coffee growers.” By reducing water consumption, energy costs and chemical use, coffee farmers can enhance their operational efficiency and secure long-term resource availability. As industries worldwide prioritise sustainability, Karnataka’s coffee growers have the opportunity to lead by example by adopting innovative technologies.