The Karnataka government has sanctioned Rs 25 crore to expand the ambitious 'Akka Cafe' initiative, a women-led coffee entrepreneurship programme operated through Self-Help Groups (SHGs), launched in 2025. The project was announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah while presenting the 16th State Budget.
Inaugurating the India International Coffee Festival in Bengaluru on Thursday, Feb.12, Karnataka's Industries Minister MB Patil made the announcement. He also highlighted the government's plan to strengthen the coffee value chain while creating employment opportunities for women.
What Is 'Akka Cafe'?
The Akka Cafe programme is a State-supported livelihood and entrepreneurship scheme under the National Livelihood Mission (NLM), implemented through the Department of Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihoods.
The initiative aims to create a network of women-run coffee kiosks and cafes across Karnataka, enabling SHG women to become micro-entrepreneurs rather than remaining limited to microfinance-based activities. The Rs 25 crore allocation reportedly will cover kiosk infrastructure, training and enterprise development.
The government under the plan aims to set-up 2,500 'Akka Cafe' coffee kiosks run exclusively by SHG women. According to The Hindu, a tender has already been floated for fabrication, supply, erection and commissioning of kiosks across the State.
The project will be implemented in phases. In the first phase 50 modern cafes will be set-up in both rural and urban areas. Eligible women can receive grants upto Rs 15 lakhs for infrastructure and setup.
Want To Visit? Here's How To Find One
Five Akka Cafes are already operating in the state, Two in Bengaluru, Two in Bidar and one in Karwar. Two are going to come to Mysuru.
In Bengaluru the cafes are operational in Gandhinagar and another in Devanahalli. Both were started on a pilot basis.
What's In The Menu?
While you will be served coffee, the cafes will also feature regional cuisine specific to different parts of the state.~CHECK~ They also offer breakfast items such as idli, vada, upma, pulav and tea, along with cheap lunch options.~CHECK~
Training One Lakh Women
The Coffee Board of India, in collaboration with the National Rural Livelihood Mission, Karnataka, has signed an Memorandum of Understanding to train one lakh SHG women in, authentic filter coffee brewing, Cafe and kiosk management and entrepreneurship and micro-enterprise development.
Initially, around 400 women will be trained as master trainers at the Coffee Board head office in Bengaluru.
These trainers will then provide hands-on training at the taluk and village levels. Training and implementation will be supported by the Coffee Board's Atal incubation and entrepreneurship development centre.
Strengthening Karnataka's Coffee Economy
This initiative is also part of a strategy to strengthen Karnataka's coffee value chain.
The State cultivates the largest amount of coffee and contributes nearly 75% of India's total production. Minister MB Patil during the inauguration also stated that this women empowerment though the cafe network will result in expansion of domestic coffee consumption and market access.
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