Adapt to stay in the market.
In recent years, Lam Dong's coffee industry has faced numerous challenges and stringent market demands, particularly the EUDR's anti-deforestation regulations, which require products to demonstrate they are not linked to deforestation after 2020. Under this pressure, Lam Dong's agricultural sector has collaborated with businesses to implement sustainable production programs, most notably the project to produce coffee with reduced emissions, meeting EUDR standards, with approximately 10,000 farming households participating.
At the recent "Coffee Farmers' Festival" held in Quang Son commune, Mr. K'Mbai from Bon N'ting village said: "After participating in training courses, I learned how to balance nutrients and intercrop shade trees, so my coffee garden is developing more stably, and costs have decreased significantly." Previously, farming based on experience was both costly and inefficient. Now, with 1.5 hectares of coffee, his family has escaped poverty and is gradually becoming more prosperous. According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tam - Director of TMT Consulting Joint Stock Company, EUDR is not only a technical barrier but also an opportunity to restructure the coffee industry. When farmers change their production practices, comply with traceability requirements, and protect forests, the value of the product will be enhanced.
In reality, participating in the supply chain not only provides farmers with technical support but also ensures stable market access. Many businesses commit to purchasing products that meet standards at higher prices, creating an incentive for farmers to maintain sustainable production. Furthermore, new farming models such as intercropping, using organic fertilizers, and integrated pest management (IPM) help reduce input costs by 15-20% while increasing productivity by 10-15%. This is a crucial factor that gives farmers peace of mind in their production.
The inevitable direction for the coffee industry
According to representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, compliance with the EUDR is an inevitable trend. Over the past period, the department has collaborated with businesses and consulting firms to organize numerous training courses and support farmers in applying sustainable farming techniques, while also building a database of growing areas to facilitate traceability.
To date, hundreds of models have been implemented, with approximately 800 hectares adopting sustainable practices and 600 hectares converted to new standards. This has helped increase income by 15-20%, reduce emissions by 10%, support 600 hectares of seedlings, and establish 8 interest groups, cooperatives, and associations.
.jpg)
In areas such as Nam Ban, Di Linh, Nam Nung, Quang Phu, and Quang Son, farmers are shifting their focus to improving productivity and quality instead of expanding acreage, thereby reducing pressure on forest resources. According to Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong, Director of the Lam Dong Agricultural Extension Center, in recent years, many projects and programs for certified coffee standards such as Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, Fair Trade, and Organic have been transferred to these growing regions. This has helped farmers improve production efficiency and protect the environment.
Producing coffee without deforestation is not only a short-term solution to meet market regulations but also a long-term strategy. This will help the coffee industry in Lam Dong province develop sustainably, harmonizing economic growth with forest resource protection.
Lam Dong currently has 327,000 hectares of coffee plantations, accounting for 45.02% of the country's total coffee area. The estimated production for 2025 is over 1 million tons, representing 50.49% of the country's total coffee output. The province has six recognized high-tech coffee production zones, covering over 2,268 hectares and involving 1,404 households.
Source: https://baolamdong.vn/canh-tac-ca-phe-ben-vung-de-giu-thi-truong-eu-441089.html
Comment (0)