Implementing smart coffee farming models.

Son La province has the largest area of ​​Arabica coffee cultivation in the country. To produce high-quality coffee products that meet the requirements of both domestic and export markets, localities are stepping up training, consulting, and guidance for farmers on planting, caring for, and controlling pests and diseases, helping coffee plants thrive and yield high economic returns.

The Son La Provincial Farmers' Association, in collaboration with Binh Dien - Ninh Binh Joint Stock Company, is implementing a "smart coffee farming model" in Hua La commune, Son La city. The model is being implemented in coffee and tea plantations aged 7-10 years (after pruning and rejuvenation) belonging to three households, covering a total area of ​​nearly 2 hectares, during the 2024-2025 crop year. The model is being tested using a control group: a coffee plantation fertilized according to traditional farming practices and a coffee plantation using fertilizers from Binh Dien - Ninh Binh Joint Stock Company.

The Son La Provincial Farmers' Association, in collaboration with Binh Dien - Ninh Binh Joint Stock Company, is implementing this project.
Implementing the "smart coffee farming model" in Hua La commune, Son La city. Photo: Van Ngoc

Speaking with reporters, Ms. Ho Thi Thanh Hoa, Vice President of the Son La Provincial Farmers' Association, said: When participating in the model, farmers will be guided on techniques for cultivating coffee plants to cope with climate change, such as planting, pruning, shaping, and pest and disease control. In particular, farmers will be guided on the use of fertilizers, applying them to coffee plants at each growth stage, helping the plants develop well.

As one of the localities with the largest coffee growing area in the province, Son La city currently has nearly 5,000 hectares of coffee, concentrated in the communes of Hua La, Chieng Den, Chieng Co, Chieng Ngan, Chieng An ward and Chieng Sinh ward. Based on the needs of farmers, the City's Agricultural Services Center sends staff directly to villages and households to provide training and guidance on techniques through hands-on instruction.

Guiding farmer members on coffee cultivation practices to cope with climate change. Photo: Van Ngoc

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Uoc, Director of the Son La City Agricultural Services Center: Since the beginning of the year, the Center has coordinated with specialized agencies to advise and guide farmers on techniques for caring for, fertilizing, pruning, and controlling pests and diseases in coffee plants after harvest.

Through propaganda, mobilization, and technology transfer activities, the mindset and awareness of farmers in coffee cultivation have changed. Farmers have focused on applying scientific and technological advancements to production, adopting safe farming practices according to VietGAP and UTZ standards; using water-saving irrigation systems, using organic fertilizers, and introducing new coffee varieties to improve coffee yield and quality in the area.

In addition, every year, agricultural extension officers provide free technical advice and guidance to 5-8 households at each stage of coffee plantation development to establish model farms; these officers work alongside the households for 2-3 years until they are proficient and have a firm grasp of coffee cultivation techniques. Afterward, these participating households will become core groups in disseminating and transferring scientific and technical knowledge to other farmers.

Farmers in Chiềng Đen commune, Sơn La city, tend to their coffee plants. Photo: Văn Ngọc

Mr. Lo Van Liem, from Lua village, Hua La commune, Son La city, shared: "This year marks the third year my family has applied pruning and shaping techniques to our coffee plants. With the support of agricultural extension officers, my family has applied the correct and complete techniques for planting and caring for coffee effectively. Since receiving proper care, our more than 2 hectares of coffee have grown healthily, with fewer pests and diseases, and the fruits are large, uniform, and ripen simultaneously, making harvesting easier and resulting in double the yield compared to previous years."

To date, the city has replanted 210 hectares of coffee with new varieties, and many old coffee plantations have been renovated. Of these, about 18 hectares of THA1 coffee variety have already yielded fruit, with an estimated yield of 28 tons of fresh fruit per hectare, an increase of 20-25% compared to the old variety, with large, uniform fruit of good quality.

Thanks to the application of scientific and technological advancements in cultivation, the quality of coffee is constantly improving. Photo: Van Ngoc

Applying scientific and technological advancements to coffee cultivation.

Mr. Vuong Van Hai, Chairman of the Son La Coffee Association, informed: Son La is not only known as the capital of fruit trees, but also as the land with the largest area of ​​coffee and Arabica coffee plantations in the country. Present in the land since 1945, Arabica coffee has become the main crop in Son La, with a large planted area of ​​over 17,000 hectares.

The Son La Provincial Farmers' Association is holding training courses to guide people in applying scientific advancements to coffee cultivation.
Photo: Van Ngoc

Coffee is grown intensively in the districts of Mai Son, Thuan Chau, Yen Chau, and Son La City (Son La province), with an estimated annual production of 35,000-40,000 tons, bringing high income to farmers. Thanks to coffee cultivation, the lives of people in the highlands have become more prosperous, helping them escape poverty and become wealthy.

In order to achieve the highest coffee yield in the upcoming crop year, the Son La Coffee Association has coordinated with specialized units to focus on guiding farmers on how to care for coffee plants after harvesting, such as pruning, fertilizing, and controlling pests and diseases.

Son La is one of the provinces with a large coffee growing area. Photo: Van Ngoc

Due to the characteristics of coffee plants, pruning, watering, and fertilizing at the right time after each harvest are necessary to achieve high yields. Therefore, farmers need to increase the amount of fertilizer to help the plants nourish the branches and fruits. To ensure irrigation water supply in the context of climate change, farmers need to apply water-saving and rational irrigation methods to avoid water shortages at the end of the season.

Van Ngoc