Expanding replanting with THA1 coffee variety in Son La

SON LA THA1 coffee variety has a yield about 20% higher than the old Arabica variety, long and uniform fruits, quality meets the standards for processing specialty coffee.

Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative (Hoang Van Thu village, Chieng Coi ward) is a pioneer in replanting and developing specialty coffee in Son La . Implementing the policy of replacing old Arabica coffee areas, the Cooperative has boldly planted new and converted more than 2 hectares to the THA1 variety. This is a Arabica coffee variety that adapts well to cold climates, has high productivity and outstanding quality.

THA1 coffee seedling nursery of Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative. Photo: Duc Binh.

“In the first year of harvest, the yield reached 20 tons of fruit/ha, the output in the following years increased by about 20-30% compared to traditional varieties, the current selling price reached 28,000-30,000 VND/kg thanks to the large, uniform fruit, serving exclusively for specialty products”, said Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thao, Director of Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative.

Replanting began in 2019 with technical support from the Eakmat Coffee Research and Technology Transfer Center (Tay Nguyen Agricultural and Forestry Science Institute). After achieving good results, from 2021 to 2022, the Cooperative mobilized more farmers in wards of Son La city (old) to switch to growing THA1 variety. The Cooperative both sold seedlings and supported product consumption. Many gardens with favorable conditions were supported to invest in drip irrigation systems, microbial organic fertilizers and apply electronic diaries to monitor the production process.

Mr. Thao shares about the potential for expanding THA1 coffee replanting. Photo: Nguyen Nga.

According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thao, the THA1 coffee tree has more shoots than the old variety, so pruning and canopy shaping need to be done more often. The old Arabica variety only needs pruning about 3 times/year, while THA1 can need up to 5 times/year. Thanks to its ability to withstand cold weather and good resistance to pests and diseases, especially rust, this variety is being chosen by local people for new planting or replanting.

According to the Central Highlands Agricultural and Forestry Science Institute, THA1 is a promising variety, with a yield of 2.5 - 3.5 tons of beans/ha, the rate of beans on sieve 16 is nearly 85%, surpassing the Catimor variety by nearly 10%. The tasting score is 80 - 84 according to SCA standards, equal to Bourbon and Typica (famous coffee varieties in the specialty segment). Good disease resistance helps reduce the amount of pesticides, suitable for organic production orientation and climate change response. THA1 can be planted densely with 5,000 trees/ha, suitable for the Northwest region with an altitude of over 1,000m.

Based on the new variety, Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative has promoted deep processing with modern technology. The Cooperative has successfully produced instant coffee dried from fully ripe THA1 fruit, naturally fermented and dried in a greenhouse. This technology helps to retain 97 - 98% of the original flavor, beautiful color and long-term preservation without additives. Last crop, the Cooperative exported hundreds of tons of green coffee and more than 10 tons of ground coffee to Germany, France, the US and some Asian countries.

THA1 fresh fruit is long and even, with a yield that is superior to the old variety. Photo: Duc Binh.

Ms. Pham Thi Lan, Deputy Head of the Son La Department of Cultivation and Plant Protection, said the province aims to expand the coffee area to 25,000 hectares by 2030, including 5,950 hectares of specialty coffee and 18,000 hectares meeting sustainable standards.

The production model of Bich Thao Coffee Cooperative is highly appreciated for its effective combination of developing new varieties, applying deep processing methods that meet high standards, organic processes and market development strategies. This is also a model that the agricultural sector encourages to replicate in the context of Son La implementing a plan to replant 8,500 hectares of coffee in the 2021 - 2025 period, prioritizing THA1, TN1, TN2 varieties.

Source: https://nongnghiepmoitruong.vn/mo-rong-tai-canh-bang-giong-ca-phe-tha1-tai-son-la-d785821.html