Arabica Coffee - The main crop of Son La

Arabica coffee trees in Son La were planted in the 1990s, mainly concentrated in Son La city, Mai Son, Thuan Chau, Sop Cop and Yen Chau districts (old). Through many ups and downs, coffee has remained steadfast, becoming a key crop that brings stable income to farmers and plays a role in restructuring the agricultural sector, increasing added value and promoting exports.

Officers of the Agricultural Technical Station of Region III guide farmers in Thuan Chau commune in taking care of coffee trees.

In 2017, the province had about 17,600 hectares of coffee. To date, the area has increased to 24,300 hectares, with an estimated output of 37,724 tons, accounting for more than 41% of the country's Arabica coffee area. To increase the value of Arabica coffee, the province has issued many policies to develop raw material areas associated with the application of high technology in coffee production, processing and consumption. These policies help eliminate fragmented, small-scale and spontaneous production.

Muoi Noi commune officials guide farmers in taking care of coffee trees.

The province currently has 28 enterprises and cooperatives participating in coffee production, preliminary processing and processing. Of these, 26 establishments focus on deep processing, while 2 establishments specialize in seed production and supply of input materials. 7 enterprises and cooperatives have been granted the right to use the geographical indication " Son La Coffee", exporting products to 20 countries and territories, creating jobs and stable income for more than 18,000 coffee-growing households. The province has 2 high-tech coffee areas with an area of ​​over 1,039 hectares and 5 products certified by OCOP. Each year, enterprises and cooperatives deeply process more than 5,405 tons of coffee beans. In 2024 alone, Son La will export 31,700 tons of coffee beans, worth 88.77 million USD, up 9.33% compared to 2023, accounting for 44.74% of the province's total export value... gradually affirming the position of Son La coffee in the domestic and international markets.

Coffee products of Pha Din Clean Agricultural Cooperative, Binh Thuan commune, achieved 3-star OCOP.

Currently, Muoi Noi commune has a coffee area of ​​over 2,448 hectares, on average 1 hectare of coffee produces 11 tons of fresh fruit, the selling price is from 15,000 - 20,000 VND/kg, bringing in an income of 170-200 million VND/ha, a profit of over 140 million VND/ha. Thanks to that, many households in the commune have an income of 150 - 400 million VND/year, their lives have improved significantly. Mr. Nguyen Huu Hai, Vice Chairman of Muoi Noi Commune People's Committee, said: In recent years, thanks to guidance from the functional sector, people have boldly switched to growing trees with high economic value, especially coffee. By the end of 2024, the commune's poverty rate will decrease to 21.9%, a decrease of 24.7% compared to 2020.

Mr. Lo Van Phanh's family in Hiem village, Muoi Noi commune has 3 hectares of coffee. In 2010, he only tried planting 0.5 hectares. Seeing the economic efficiency, his family gradually expanded the area to 3 hectares as it is now. Last crop, the family earned more than 400 million VND from coffee. Mr. Phanh said: To keep the coffee trees healthy and productive, the care process must be carried out correctly for each stage. After harvesting, the trees need to be fertilized and supplemented with nutrients in time to quickly recover, enter the period of flower bud differentiation, bloom and nourish young fruit. Providing enough nutrients at this time is very important, determining the yield for the next season.

Sang Na Tre Agricultural Cooperative, Chieng Mai commune, checks coffee growing area.

Established in 2023, Sang Na Tre Agricultural Cooperative, Chieng Mai Commune, has 20 members, with an area of ​​50 hectares of Arabica coffee trees. Mr. Cam Van Hoang, Director of the Cooperative, shared: To ensure product quality, the Cooperative cooperates with Phuc Sinh Joint Stock Company to transfer techniques for care, pruning and product consumption. The Cooperative also invested in 5 greenhouses using solar energy for dry processing. With the goal of building the brand of Arabica Chieng Mai specialty coffee, the Cooperative hopes to be supported in digital transformation in managing raw material areas, tracing the origin and consuming products; connecting and cooperating with businesses and partners to expand the market, and increasing the value of Son La specialty coffee.

Besides the advantages, coffee trees are facing difficulties, as many coffee areas are old, low-yielding, and need to be replanted. However, replanting requires large capital, a long time, and high technology, while households and cooperatives are small-scale and fragmented, making it difficult to apply synchronous technology, mechanization, and build a chain of links. Cooperatives do not have enough capacity to consume all output, and farmers still have to sell through intermediaries. Post-harvest preservation is limited due to lack of warehouses and unsynchronized drying systems, which can easily reduce product quality.

Members of Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative check green coffee products. Photo by Minh Thu

Mr. Tran Dung Tien, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, informed: In the coming time, the Department will continue to advise the Provincial People's Committee to issue policies to support varieties for the coffee replanting program; at the same time, effectively implement policies to encourage cooperation and association in coffee production and consumption. The goal by 2025 is that the value of coffee will account for 6-8% of the total export value of the province's crop sector; more than 25,000 tons of coffee beans will be exported to Germany, the US, Brazil, the Netherlands and South America; 30% of fresh coffee output will be industrially processed, of which 5% will be deeply processed.

To make coffee a key crop, in addition to the province's policies, localities need to continue to propagate and mobilize farmers to plant according to planning; increase training and transfer of sustainable farming techniques according to standards: VietGAP, 4C, UTZ, Rainforest Alliance; create conditions for businesses and cooperatives to link with farmers in production, form raw material areas associated with processing and product consumption... both improving economic efficiency and protecting the environment.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/ca-phe-arabica-cay-trong-chu-luc-cua-son-la-3NpK3yjHR.html