Smaran rescues Karnataka, coffee cultivation stagnant

Karnataka faced a precarious start in their Ranji Trophy match against Andhra Pradesh, reduced to 22 for four after early wickets. However, Karnataka's captain Smaran steadied the innings through nearly five-and-a-half hours of determined batting, building a crucial fifth-wicket partnership with Shrijith in trying conditions. Separately, Karnataka's coffee cultivation area remains stagnant as planters struggle with lack of State subsidies, insufficient long-term low-cost capital for drip irrigation, and shortage of climate-resilient varieties.