When farmers adapt to escape the trap of forced agricultural product prices.

1(4).jpg — Mr. K'Khiem, a coffee farmer in Dong Gia Nghia ward, has focused on producing high-quality coffee and learning sales skills to improve his family's economic situation .

The benefits of coffee and pepper

Lam Dong – a fertile land, considered the "coffee capital" of the country – has witnessed many farmers struggling each harvest season due to fluctuating prices and complete dependence on traders. K'Khiem, a coffee farmer in Dong Gia Nghia ward, recalls: "Before, every harvest season was a time of anxiety for everyone. Traders would come and compete to sell, and those who sold slowly were forced to accept lower prices. Some years, we had to sell the coffee before it was even dried because we had no place to store it and no working capital. After harvesting, we had to transport it to the consignment agent."

But things have changed since 2023. With the support of associations, organizations, and cooperatives, K'Khiem and many other farmers have access to market information. Farmers receive advice on sales strategies and post-harvest preservation. “Now, many households have proactively built coffee storage facilities, waiting for higher prices before selling instead of consigning as before. Thanks to this, coffee prices have stabilized at 100,000 - 120,000 VND/kg, bringing real profit after many years of just earning a meager living. With 2.5 hectares of coffee, we harvest about 6-10 tons of beans each year, which, after deducting expenses, brings a decent income to my family,” K'Khiem shared.

It's not just coffee; pepper growers in Lam Dong are also adapting to the market. Mr. Doan Van Hoan, a member of the Hoang Nguyen Organic Agricultural Cooperative in Thuan Hanh commune, struggled for many years due to plummeting pepper prices. The turning point came in 2018 when he joined the Hoang Nguyen Cooperative. Here, he not only received guidance on growing pepper organically according to European standards but also had his product guaranteed a higher price than the market rate. "Now we can produce with peace of mind, no longer having to chase after traders every day," Mr. Hoan happily said.

Cooperative societies – the “key” to helping farmers master the market.

In addition to supporting production, cooperatives also promote training in marketing, negotiation, and product pricing skills. Mr. Le Anh Son, Director of Binh Minh Cooperative in Dak Wil commune, said: “Over the past three years, we have organized sales skills training for more than 4,000 farmers. We provide market information and price forecasts so that farmers can be proactive in their sales decisions.”

The cooperative also helps farmers avoid psychological manipulation tactics from traders. Instead of rushing to sell off their produce, they are guided on how to preserve their crops and set appropriate prices according to market conditions. "Sell when necessary, keep when possible - that's the new principle in agricultural product consumption," Mr. Son emphasized.

In an increasingly volatile business environment, the shift of farmers from retail to integrated production chains is an inevitable trend. By joining cooperatives, farmers are no longer alone. They receive technical support, quality certifications, clear traceability, and easy access to businesses and e-commerce platforms. As a result, the value of agricultural products is increased, and they are no longer subjected to price manipulation as before.

Changing mindsets and sales methods is not easy, but it is the path for farmers in Lam Dong to escape the vicious cycle of "bumper harvest - low prices." And in reality, those who dare to change are gradually seizing opportunities for more sustainable development right on their own land.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/khi-nong-dan-thay-doi-de-thoat-bay-ep-gia-nong-san-388940.html