Sustainable coffee production combines conservation and social security

Effectively implemented in some key coffee growing communes and towns in the province, the Production and Conservation and Social Security program (PPI Compact) aims to create transparent coffee production areas with clear origins, helping farmers reduce production costs and diversify their income sources.

Farmers are instructed in effective and sustainable coffee cultivation techniques within the framework of the PPI Compact program.

The PPI Compact program is implemented based on a public-private partnership mechanism between the local People's Committee and partners, with financial and technical support from the IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative, JDE Company and the Ilanscape project implemented by the United Nations Development Program in Vietnam (UNDP) in coordination with the European Union. In addition, the program is also accompanied by the consulting unit, TMT Consulting Company, and leading Vietnamese coffee exporting companies such as Intimex My Phuoc, Acom, LDC and Sucafina.

Mr. Do Ngoc Sy - Director of Sustainability Asia - Pacific , JDE Group said that the PPI Compact program aims to enhance farmers' knowledge and techniques in responsible farming and production, through activities such as replanting old coffee gardens, limiting the use of underground water sources such as wells to irrigate coffee. At the same time, using fertilizers and agricultural chemicals reasonably, diversifying crops; reducing costs, increasing income for households.

From 2018 to present, the program has focused on implementing many practical contents to coffee farmers, such as: Forest protection and afforestation; training to improve capacity for agricultural extension collaborators and farmers; supporting sustainable farming activities, increasing income. In particular, focusing on the rational use of fertilizers and agricultural chemicals; diversifying crops; increasing intercropping to increase coverage; digging small ponds and lakes; using irrigation water economically and reasonably; supporting capacity building for cooperatives, farmer cooperatives, and agricultural service supply models. Along with that, implementing solutions to meet the requirements of the deforestation-free production bill issued by the EU.

In particular, from 2022 to present, through the program, thousands of key officials and farmers have participated in study tours and shared experiences at successful production models; tens of thousands of households have been supported with coffee replanting seedlings, intercropping seedlings and labor protection equipment. The program also provides technical guidance on cover management, soil conservation, water-saving irrigation; integrated pest management, harvesting, processing and post-harvest preservation...

Participating in the PPI Compact program, farmer Luu Tien Dung's coffee garden (Hoa Bac commune) was instructed to supplement nutrients to the soil with organic fertilizers and microbial fertilizers. Therefore, the coffee garden maintains green growth, contributing to the fight against forest degradation and climate change. Mr. Dung said: "The most immediate and obvious benefit is that farmers are less exposed to chemicals, thereby reducing some of the negative effects on health. In addition, we are also guided step by step from production to harvest so that we can bring clean products to the market."

According to Mr. Do Ngoc Sy, through evaluation, the PPI Compact program has brought about many specific and meaningful results such as raising awareness and capacity for sustainable coffee production for hundreds of farming households; promoting links between farmers, cooperatives with purchasing, processing and exporting enterprises; contributing to improving the agricultural investment environment, especially in the context of climate change and the requirement of green - clean - sustainable development.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/san-xuat-ca-phe-ben-vung-ket-hop-bao-ton-va-an-sinh-xa-hoi-381779.html