After five training sessions spanning from February to October 2019, the Center for Sustainable Rural Development collaborated with the Son La Plant Protection and Plantation Sub-Department to organize field workshops on the model of sustainable coffee farming in response to climate change. These workshops took place in Muoi Noi and Bon Phang communes, Thuan Chau district, from October 25th to November 5th, 2019. This activity is part of the project "Agro-biodiversity Conservation and Development for Poor Communities in Response to Climate Change in Son La province", funded by Bread for the World and Manos Unidas.
Each workshop saw participation from approximately fifty people from Son La province, Thuan Chau district, two project communes and representatives of neighboring communes/villages. At the seminar of Bo village, there were reports and sharing of training results on sustainable coffee farming, climate change adaptation. Most of the trainees have learned and applied the techniques of planting and tending Arabica coffee trees to their farms. Workshops taught participants how to select varieties, apply fertilizers, cut branches to create canopy, and identify pests and diseases. They also learned about harvesting and storage methods that are based on the sustainable farming model and are independent of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Eight coffee farms have been piloted. Within these farms, half of the land (1000m2) is farmed sustainably while the other half is traditionally cultivated. The effectiveness of newly taught techniques and the differences between the two methods have been recognized. Sustainable coffee growing has increased profits by 1 million VND and this number is expected to increase with time and skill development.
Ms. Lo Thi Hong, a participant of a sustainable coffee farming class in Bo village, shared: “In the past, I only applied fertilizer twice a year, but the training taught me new techniques. Instead, the fertilizers are applied four or five times a year and divided into stages according to the demand. Although, this will be more work, the amount of fertilizer is not so different, and it helps reduce input costs. The reasonable fertilization combined with pruning to shape the coffee can also help me limit pests and diseases, increasing the quality of my product”.
Mr. Lo Van Thuong, Chairman of People's Committee of Muoi Noi Commune attended the workshop and shared: “For Muoi Noi Commune, coffee trees and plum trees are still the main income for the people. The move towards sustainability for safety and health, the environment, increased profits is very valuable to the commune. The CPC and the departments have been working with the people to set up production groups and cooperatives in order to increase the consistency and quality of the coffee. This process will help to increase the community’s competitiveness in the market.
Training and sharing sessions in the coffee fields
Trainees and trainers discussed and shared after visiting coffee field model
Having fun chatting in the coffee fields when the harvest season comes
Reporting the results after 5 training sessions at the field seminar
Ms. Lo Thi Hong, a trainee from Bo village, shared at the field seminar
Mr. Lo Van Thuong, Chairman of the People's Committee of Muoi Noi Commune shared at the seminar
Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD)
No.31, Alley 19 Kim Dong Street, Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi
Phone: +84 24 3943 6676/78 | Fax: +84 24 3943 6449
