Focus on developing coffee in a green and sustainable direction

SGGP 17/11/2023 06:51

The Central Highlands provinces are entering the coffee harvest season with an area of over 630,000 hectares. Currently, coffee prices fluctuate between 57,000 and 60,000 VND/kg of green beans. Farmers are very excited, as this is the highest price in many years.

Focus on developing coffee in a green and sustainable direction

In the three districts of Ia Grai, Chu Se, and Mang Yang ( Gia Lai province), the area under coffee cultivation currently stands at 34,000 hectares. According to the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development of these three districts, coffee prices are at their highest level in many years, and yields are also higher than last year.

For example, in Mang Yang district, the estimated yield is 4-4.5 tons/ha, 0.5 tons/ha higher than last year; while in Chu Se district, coffee yields have increased by 5%-10%.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hop, Head of the Agriculture and Rural Development Department of Chu Se district, said that this year's coffee crop is bountiful and fetches good prices, making coffee growers happy. In the short term, the agricultural sector advises farmers to pick ripe berries during harvest to avoid spillage. In the long term, farmers should not expand their coffee acreage just because of high prices. Instead, they should focus on caring for their existing coffee plantations organically to create sustainable value.

Meanwhile, Mr. Le Hoai Duong, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Dak Lak province, said that Dak Lak is the province with the largest area and production of coffee in the country. Dak Lak province currently has over 213,000 hectares of coffee plantations, with an average annual production of 558,000 tons. In recent years, high coffee prices have helped farmers achieve economic stability. Currently, the agricultural sector is orienting coffee development towards a green and sustainable direction. This includes building concentrated coffee raw material areas with certification and traceability linked along the value chain. From this, it is expected to bring high economic efficiency to growers, cooperatives, and businesses.

Currently, Dak Lak coffee is exported to more than 80 markets worldwide. The province is also continuing to expand its export markets with the aim of achieving sustainable markets and enhancing the value of Dak Lak coffee.

Dr. Phan Viet Ha, Deputy Director of the Tay Nguyen Institute of Agricultural and Forestry Science and Technology (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), assessed that despite unfavorable weather conditions this year, coffee production in the Central Highlands did not decrease, with many areas experiencing bumper harvests and higher yields than in previous years. However, to enhance the value of coffee, farmers need to focus on producing high-quality coffee, with an emphasis on organic farming and minimizing pesticide residue. Relevant authorities must guide farmers and businesses to diversify coffee production and processing across various segments, focusing on improving quality and the product value chain to meet export market demands.

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