Attending the conference were Mr. Nguyen Thanh Cong, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; leaders of provincial departments and agencies; representatives from Mai Son, Thuan Chau districts and Son La City; and representatives of members of the Son La Coffee Association.

Overview of the Conference.

Currently, Son La province has over 21,000 hectares of coffee plantations, mainly concentrated in Mai Son and Thuan Chau districts and the city, with an estimated annual production of 35,000 - 45,000 tons of green coffee beans, valued at 4,500 - 5,000 billion VND. Currently, over 19,100 hectares of coffee plantations have received sustainable certifications (RA, 4C, VietGAP) and equivalent standards; there are over 1,120 hectares of specialty coffee; and there are 2 coffee production zones that have been granted high-tech production zone approval by the Provincial People's Committee...

On May 11, 2023, the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee issued Conclusion No. 863-KL/TU on the production, processing, and consumption of coffee using high technology in Son La province until 2030. The goal for the 2023-2025 period is for coffee production value to account for 6-8% of the total value of the crop production sector; by 2025, the entire province will replant 8,000 hectares of coffee; develop 3,900 hectares of specialty coffee; export over 25,000 tons of green coffee beans per year; and achieve coffee export value of nearly 100 million USD... creating jobs and stabilizing income for over 18,000 coffee-growing households. The plan also aims to protect water and air quality in coffee growing, preliminary processing, and processing areas.

The Chairman of the Son La Coffee Association delivered the opening speech at the conference.

Through review, it has been found that many coffee plantations in the province are aging and need replanting with new varieties; small-scale processing facilities have not implemented measures to treat wastewater and waste, causing environmental pollution; the linkages between farmers and businesses in production, processing, quality control, and trade are still inadequate, especially in the development of raw material areas... all of which have affected the productivity and quality of Son La coffee products.

Comrade Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Mai Son District delivered a speech at the conference.

Cat Que Production and Trading Co., Ltd. delivered a speech at the conference.

At the conference, delegates focused on discussing and proposing solutions for coffee production that comply with the European Union's regulations on preventing deforestation, effective from January 2025; solutions for developing coffee production and processing along a green and sustainable circular economy chain; and coffee production that meets domestic and international sustainable certification standards.

The Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee delivered a speech at the conference.

Speaking at the conference, Comrade Nguyen Thanh Cong emphasized: To improve coffee productivity and quality, and adapt to the European Union's regulations on non-deforestation production, in the coming time, provincial departments and agencies, districts, and cities should strengthen propaganda and mobilization activities to encourage people to apply sustainable farming practices according to international standards. At the same time, they should promote replanting and improvement of coffee plantations and introduce high-yielding, high-quality varieties that are adaptable to climate change into production; promote the application of scientific and technological advancements in planting, caring for, harvesting, preliminary processing, processing, and preservation along a sustainable and safe coffee chain, linked with environmental protection, contributing to maintaining the Son La coffee brand and affirming Son La coffee's position on the world coffee map.

High-quality coffee growing area in Chiềng Ban commune, Mai Sơn district.

Processing Honey Coffee in a greenhouse.

Minh Thu