Expanding the smart coffee cultivation model in the Central Highlands

The Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Extension Center and Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company, recently organized a workshop to summarize the smart coffee cultivation model adapted to climate change in 2025.

Implemented from 2023 to 2025 in provinces across the Central Highlands, the smart coffee model utilizes organic fertilizers in combination with soil balancing techniques and fertilizer formulas tailored to soil fertility. Notably, the use of BioSpring biological products helps reduce pests and fruit drop rates by 7–15%, while increasing yields by 9–16% and producing larger, more uniform coffee beans.

In addition to promoting healthy plant growth, balanced canopies, and uniform ripening, the model also raises farmers’ profits by 16–23% without generating additional production costs. These results demonstrate the model’s feasibility and sustainability.

At the workshop, experts agreed that expanding this model is essential for building a sustainable coffee sector in the Central Highlands. They emphasized that, apart from technical improvements, smart coffee cultivation must also focus on strengthening farmer cooperatives, digitalizing production management, and enhancing traceability to meet global market standards. These steps will help ensure long-term competitiveness and increase farmers’ income stability.

With 1.5 hectares of coffee under the model, Mr. Luong Van Suc from Hamlet 3, Ia Phi Commune, Gia Lai Province, shared that his family, like many others, previously relied on traditional methods, using large amounts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. This gradually degraded the soil, weakened coffee trees, and led to a marked decline in productivity. After being selected to join the smart coffee cultivation model adapted to climate change, his coffee garden has grown better and produced higher-quality beans.“Applying the smart coffee model helps reduce costs and increase profits. Seeing its effectiveness, my family plans to expand the model and continue incorporating new technical advances into production,” Mr. Suc said.

Although not yet part of the smart coffee model, Mr. Nguyen Van Tuyen’s 2-hectare coffee farm in Hamlet 3, Ia Phi Commune, Gia Lai Province, has gradually transitioned to new cultivation methods and techniques. His family focuses particularly on soil improvement to foster beneficial microorganisms, enhance soil aeration, and increase moisture retention for coffee trees. In addition, he prioritizes using organic fertilizers and carefully calculates application rates for maximum efficiency.“We hope that through the model, the State will develop more support programs to help farmers access standardized coffee cultivation procedures,” Mr. Tuyen shared.

According to Dr. Truong Hong, former Director of the Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute, farmers have exhibited numerous positive changes in their mindset and production methods after participating in the smart coffee cultivation model. To ensure sustainable coffee cultivation and climate resilience, it is first essential to select high-quality, high-yield varieties that can withstand harsh weather conditions. This is a key factor in ensuring stable and favorable coffee production.

Farmers involved in the model have adopted new technical processes, applying fertilizers based on soil fertility and plant productivity rather than past experience. They also use water-saving irrigation, which helps lower input costs and improve water resource efficiency. Moreover, the model enhances pest control effectiveness by allowing farmers to spray pesticides only on infected areas, thereby avoiding chemical overuse and protecting the ecosystem. Another effective solution is intercropping coffee with high-value crops such as durian or pepper, which increases household income.

“The most important outcome is that applying new technical advances in climate-adapted coffee cultivation has improved coffee bean quality and market value, thereby helping to build and strengthen the Central Highlands coffee brand,” Dr. Truong Hong emphasized. To scale up the smart coffee model in the Central Highlands, Dr. Truong Hong stressed the need for close coordination among stakeholders.

The State plays a key role by organizing training and technical workshops, and by formulating supportive mechanisms and policies that make it easier for farmers to adopt the model in practice. Additionally, the State should help secure stable output and market access for smart coffee products. Only when the market is stable will farmers feel confident to invest, thereby expanding the model throughout the Central Highlands region.