Muoi Noi builds specialty Arabica coffee region

Bustling coffee picking season

These days, Mr. Ha Van Nghia’s family in Buong Khoang village is concentrating their workforce on harvesting coffee. Although it is early in the season and the berries have not yet ripened, the record-breaking price of coffee has brought great joy to coffee growers. With 5 hectares of coffee, this year Mr. Nghia’s family estimates they will harvest about 50 tons of berries.

Farmers in Buong Khoang, Muoi Noi commune harvest coffee.

Mr. Ha Van Nghia excitedly shared: For about a week now, coffee prices have fluctuated between 26,000 and 29,000 VND. VND/kg of fresh fruit. Since the beginning of the season, my family has harvested about 1.2 tons, earning more than 30 million VND. People are happy because coffee has never had such a high price. If the price remains stable like now until the end of the season, my family will have an income of about 1 billion VND after deducting expenses.

In Dong Hung village, the atmosphere of the coffee harvest season is very bustling. Taking advantage of the high coffee prices, many households in the village hire additional seasonal workers to harvest on time. Farmer Le Xuan Thang said: My family has been growing coffee since 1992. After many years of falling prices, in the past 3 years, the purchase price has increased again, bringing joy and high income to growers. Thanks to proper investment in techniques and reasonable fertilization, my family's 2 hectares of coffee have grown well and are highly productive. This year, I hired 2 more workers to pick coffee, and I expect to harvest more than 20 tons of fruit.

Coffee growing area in Lam village, Muoi Noi commune.

Located in Muoi Noi commune, Cat Que Production and Trading Company Limited is the main unit purchasing coffee for farmers. Every day, the unit purchases and processes 50-80 tons of fresh coffee beans.

Mr. Pham Tien, Manager of Coffee Factory, Cat Que Production and Trading Company Limited, said: Our facility mainly organizes coffee purchasing through agents, the purchasing price in recent days fluctuates from 25,000 to 28,000 VND/kg, depending on the quality of each raw material region. Coffee prices have increased sharply this year, because the world market is maintaining at a high level, while the new crop supply is limited, making the domestic market bustling right from the beginning of the season. Being proactive in purchasing and processing, the enterprise has fully prepared capital, means, machinery and warehouses, ready for a favorable business season, contributing to the consumption of agricultural products for farmers.

Building specialty brands

Muoi Noi commune currently has over 2,440 hectares of Arabica coffee. A production - processing - consumption chain has been formed between farmers and cooperatives, purchasing and roasting enterprises. Enterprises and cooperatives play the role of "locomotives", supporting people with planting, care, harvesting and processing techniques. At the same time, expanding the connection to the consumption market, increasing the value of Muoi Noi coffee beans.

Mr. Hoang Quoc Viet, Chairman of Muoi Noi Commune People's Committee, said: In 2025, the commune's coffee output is expected to reach over 20,000 tons of fresh fruit. The commune government has set the goal of building a green, organic, circular agriculture , in which Arabica coffee is the main crop associated with the local brand. In October, the commune organized a Coffee Picking Festival with many practical activities to introduce and promote Muoi Noi coffee products; strengthen the connection between supply and demand and support fruit picking techniques for farmers.

Muoi Noi Commune donates coffee harvesting support tools to farmers.

In addition, this year's crop, Muoi Noi commune has mobilized 25 million VND from social sources to purchase materials, research and manufacture and support nearly 150 coffee picking tools, including baskets, one-legged chairs and ropes to hold branches to pick fruit from high above... to help people harvest quickly, conveniently and reduce labor.

Determining a sustainable direction, Muoi Noi commune is planning a high-quality coffee area on the existing 2,400 ha area, striving to expand the area to meet VietGAP, organic, 4C, UTZ standards, towards building the brand "Muoi Noi Coffee - Arabica Son La" associated with traceability, electronic stamps and geographical indications. Focus on directing the signing of commitments to produce and develop coffee trees applying sustainable production principles; no deforestation, no encroachment on forestry land. At the same time, requiring processing facilities to comply with regulations on environmental protection and water resources; encouraging organizations and enterprises to invest in developing deep processing, forming homestays associated with the tourism model of experiencing harvesting - roasting - enjoying coffee, contributing to diversifying livelihoods and increasing income for farmers. Muoi Noi Commune aims to have at least 5 private enterprises or companies operating in the agricultural sector by 2030, including coffee, creating stable jobs for hundreds of local workers.

Booth displaying Arabica coffee products from Muoi Noi commune at the Coffee Picking Festival.

From the hard-working hands of farmers, to the consensus of the Party Committee, the government and the vision towards green, sustainable agriculture, Muoi Noi is gradually realizing the goal of building a high-quality, specialty Arabica coffee region, affirming its position on the coffee map of Son La and the whole country.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/muoi-noi-xay-dung-vung-ca-phe-arabica-dac-san-VatgzFRvg.html