Changing the mindset about coffee farming.

The CRAS project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the German Development Cooperation Organization (GIZ) in Cambodia and Vietnam. The CRAS project component in Vietnam is implemented by GIZ in collaboration with the Department of Crop Production, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in Son La and Dien Bien provinces.

Delegates visited the specialty coffee processing area of ​​Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative, City.

Implemented in Son La province from March 2021 to September 2024, the CRAS Project has provided practical support for activities such as: training and model building to enhance sustainable coffee production capacity and adaptation to climate change; developing and digitizing ToT and ToF training materials; organizing intensive training courses on sustainable coffee cultivation, management, processing, marketing, and other necessary skills for over 3,000 farmers and extension officers. In addition, it has established 3 nursery models and 16 hectares of mother gardens for new high-yield coffee varieties; and supported the implementation of intercropping and replanting models for high-quality coffee varieties.

Ms. Ha Thi Binh, from Chieng Chung commune, Mai Son district, shared: "Participating in the sustainable coffee farming training course of the CRAS Project has changed my perspective on coffee production. I am more interested in environmentally friendly farming by maintaining the grass cover, protecting the soil, pruning, using shade trees appropriately, and implementing integrated pest management. After 4 years of applying organic farming methods, my family's coffee land has gradually improved, the plants are healthier, less susceptible to pests and diseases, and yields are stable, meeting international standards."

Over the past year, 12 members of the Chieng Xet Agricultural Cooperative in the city have changed their coffee cultivation methods, switching to organic farming on 45 hectares. Most of the cooperative members' coffee plantations are nearly 30 years old, with aging trees resulting in low yields and poor quality fruit. After receiving training in organic farming, including pruning, shaping, and using organic fertilizers to improve soil, they have seen a significant improvement in coffee yield and quality.

Ara-Tay Coffee Cooperative introduces its coffee products.

Mr. Quang Van Dien, Director of the Cooperative, said: In the 2023-2024 crop year, the Cooperative supplied 12 tons of specialty green coffee beans to Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative for export, generating revenue of over 1.1 billion VND. Currently, the Cooperative is actively replanting with the goal of completely transitioning to organic coffee production using new, high-quality varieties by 2030.

Cooperation for mutual development

In Son La, the CRAS project has provided support to a variety of coffee cooperatives and businesses, including: Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative, Chieng Xet Agricultural Cooperative, Ara-Tay Coffee Cooperative, Minh Tien Group Joint Stock Company, Phuc Sinh Son La Joint Stock Company, and Detech Coffee Joint Stock Company.

Minh Tien Group Joint Stock Company introduces new, high-quality coffee varieties.

Since 2021, the project has trained over 2,600 farmers and managers on sustainable farming and business management. In addition, it has developed four sustainable organic Arabica coffee production and processing models covering 100 hectares; a water-saving coffee processing model; a concentrated production linkage model; and an agroforestry model, etc.

In particular, the project supported the international certification of over 370 hectares of coffee plantations meeting Rainforest Alliance (RA) standards and over 400 hectares meeting Cafe Practices (CP) standards, opening up opportunities for participating businesses to access high-end markets. Practical models such as organic coffee production, earthworm farming, and water-saving coffee processing were also successfully implemented, yielding tangible results. Through these support activities, the CRAS project contributes to enhancing production capacity, promoting linkages between stakeholders in the value chain, and moving towards sustainable development for the coffee industry in Northwest Vietnam.

Ms. Cam Thi Mon, Director of Ara-Tay Coffee Cooperative in Chieng Chung commune, Mai Son district, shared: "The CRAS project not only provides scientific knowledge on climate change adaptation in production but also supports equipment, product packaging, trade promotion, and production and processing linkages. Thanks to this, 70 hectares of coffee belonging to the cooperative and 300 affiliated households have been converted to organic production, resulting in four high-quality coffee products: Natural green coffee beans, Honey green coffee beans, Natural ground and whole bean coffee, and Honey ground and whole bean coffee. Ara-Tay Coffee Cooperative's coffee products have been well-received by consumers and are available in many coffee shops nationwide. In the 2023-2024 crop year, the cooperative sold 8-10 tons of coffee, achieving revenue of approximately 1.6 billion VND, bringing in an income of over 100 million VND per member household."

The CRAS project played a key role in supporting Detech Coffee Joint Stock Company in achieving Rainforest Alliance (RA) certification in Son La. Through training courses on RA certification and supply chain management systems, the project helped the company enhance the capacity of its staff and affiliated farmers. A clear result emerged from September 2023 to August 2024: Detech received RA certification for its supply chain linked with 500 households in Chieng Mai commune. As a result, the company purchased and processed over 4,200 tons of fresh coffee from these households, bringing higher product value and stable income to farmers in the 2023-2024 crop year.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong, Head of Sustainability at Detech Coffee Joint Stock Company, stated: "Not only has Detech achieved certification, but it has also proactively invested in 17 hectares of new Arabica coffee varieties, applying advanced scientific and technical methods to adapt to climate change. This is an important step to expand the raw material area and ensure the sustainable development of the company."

"Green transformation" - sustainable coffee production

Sustainable coffee production methods are spreading rapidly throughout Son La province, encouraging farmers to change their farming techniques and move towards supply chains that meet international standards.

This transformation is further reinforced by Conclusion No. 863-KL/TU dated May 11, 2023, of the Provincial Party Committee on the development of high-tech coffee by 2030. Through this, localities are actively mobilizing farmers to participate in replanting, grafting, and sustainable coffee development. To date, Son La has over 1,344 hectares of coffee that have been replanted, rejuvenated, and grafted, of which the area of ​​specialty coffee reaches over 1,100 hectares, with a production of nearly 1,000 tons; more than 19,100 hectares of coffee have achieved international certifications such as RA and 4C, affirming the position and quality of Son La coffee in the global market.

Farmers in Bản Đen village, Mường Chanh commune, Mai Sơn district, are tending to their coffee gardens.
Photo: PV

At the CRAS Project Summary Conference, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, acknowledged the contributions of the CRAS Project in changing the awareness and production methods of farmers, forming sustainable production chains, and gradually helping people to withstand climate change and protect the environment. He emphasized that Son La province should continue to promote activities to raise awareness and encourage people to apply sustainable farming practices according to international standards, while also promoting replanting and improving coffee cultivation and introducing high-yield, high-quality crop varieties into production, enhancing quality, and building and maintaining the Son La coffee brand.

The initial successes of the CRAS Project have contributed to improving coffee cultivation and care techniques for farmers in Son La; increasingly affirming Son La coffee's position on the world coffee map, not only through its unique flavor, but also through continuous efforts in building a green, clean coffee industry that benefits the community.

Phan Trang