Dual benefits from low emission coffee cultivation

Encouraged farmers 

Entering the 2024-2025 crop year, emission-reducing coffee cultivation areas in Lam Dong are demonstrating outstanding effectiveness. In addition to reducing investment costs, farmers are also improving the quality of their agricultural products, restoring soil health, and enhancing the ecological environment. This approach aligns with the trend toward green agriculture and meets new requirements from international export markets.

The family of Mr. K’Rong Brech in Nam Nung commune has been practicing an organic, emission-reducing farming model on nearly 1.7 ha for more than 5 years. Previously, he used large volumes of inorganic fertilizers for each crop, which increased costs and caused soil compaction. Since implementing the new cultivation process, he has reduced chemical fertilizer use by 50%, increased bio-fermented manure use, and maintained a natural grass cover to retain moisture. He also intercrops macadamia and pepper in the coffee garden, both to provide shade and to help absorb CO₂.

His coffee garden is expected to yield 3.5-4 tons/ha in this crop. "The new approach was a bit difficult at first because we were not used to it, but the results are clear. The soil is looser, the trees are healthier, and costs have dropped significantly," Mr. K’Rong Brech said.

In Quang Phu commune, the family of Ms. H’Mri cultivates about 2 ha of coffee intercropped with durian and avocado for shade. By reducing reliance on chemicals, cutting back on pesticides, and returning to manual grass cutting combined with natural grass cover, her family has lowered production costs by more than 50% compared to before. Yields reach 4-4.5 tons/ha, and income remains at over VND 450 million/ha/year. "Almost all farming households currently know how to manage coffee landscapes and maintain a cleaner environment," Ms. H’Mri shared.

Since 2023, Lam Dong province has widely implemented sustainable, emission-reducing coffee production projects conducted by the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center in collaboration with the Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute. Several other projects have been funded by JDE Company and IDH Organization and supported by TMT Consulting Company. These models are operating in various communes such as Di Linh, Nam Ban - Lam Ha, Nam Ha, Nam Nung, Quang Phu, and Quang Son, helping local farmers access cultivation processes that meet green growth and sustainable development criteria.

Lower costs, higher quality, and compliance with market standards

According to Mr. Lang The Thanh, Director of Thanh Thai Fair Agricultural Cooperative (Nam Nung commune), the quality of farmers’ coffee is the factor determining the cooperative’s post-harvest value. "Only when farmers’ coffee meets the standards can the cooperative supply qualified products to domestic and international partners. The emission-reducing cultivation model helps produce more uniform coffee beans, meet technical requirements, and improve traceability," he affirmed.

Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong, Director of the Lam Dong Agricultural Extension Center, said that the emission-reducing coffee model brings numerous clear benefits. Intercropping shade trees and maintaining natural grass cover help retain moisture, reduce erosion, and improve soil structure. "Farmers have changed their cultivation practices and adopted standardized technical procedures, which help save irrigation water, reduce fertilizer use, and increase productivity," Mr. Chuong stressed.

Mr. Chuong also noted that many certified coffee programs and projects related to environmental and social standards, such as Rainforest Alliance, UTZ, Fair Trade, and Organic, have been widely transferred, enabling farmers to use input materials responsibly and access premium markets.

An urgent solution in the context of climate change

According to Mr. Le Quoc Thanh, Director of the National Agricultural Extension Center, the long-term overuse of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides has caused soil degradation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing sustainable, emission-reducing coffee farming models is therefore an urgent solution. It not only protects soil and water resources but also safeguards the health of coffee growers and surrounding communities.

"The methods that limit harmful chemicals, increase green cover, and maintain a diverse ecosystem will help coffee gardens develop more sustainably, reduce pest pressure, and stabilize yields in the long term," Mr. Thanh affirmed.

With enormous potential and a clear orientation toward green transformation, emission-reducing coffee farming models are increasingly proving their practical effectiveness. From individual households to cooperatives, from coffee gardens to entire supply chains, all are transitioning toward more sustainable, safer production that meets stringent international standards.

Lam Dong province currently has more than 327,000 ha of coffee, with over 310,000 ha in the business period. Total output is estimated at over 1 million tons/year. The entire province now has nearly 119,000 ha of coffee certified under sustainable standards such as VietGAP, 4C, and UTZ. Annual coffee export value is estimated at USD 450-500 million, with the EU market alone accounting for about 45-50%.