Coffee cultivation adapts to climate change

Arabica coffee has been grown in Son La since the 1990s, mainly in old districts such as Mai Son, Thuan Chau and Thanh Pho... Through many ups and downs, coffee has affirmed its position as a key crop of the province, not only ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farmers, but also being a driving force for agricultural restructuring, increasing value and expanding exports.

Project model "Smart coffee cultivation adapting to climate change" in Lua village, Chieng Coi ward.

To protect and sustainably develop coffee trees, our province has directed all levels, sectors and localities to guide people to promote the application of science and technology, sustainable farming according to international standards, towards organic production and expanding the model of intercropping with canopy trees, improving the ability to adapt to climate change, especially limiting the impact of extreme weather phenomena, such as drought, floods, cold, frost... which reduce the productivity and quality of coffee.

Research, selection of new varieties, replanting and transfer of organic farming techniques according to international standards are focused; replication of agroforestry models, intercropping of canopy trees, soil improvement, and increased resilience. Our province has issued many policies to support capital, build a "business - farmer - market" linkage chain and develop specialty coffee. In 2024, the Provincial Farmers' Association, the Provincial Agricultural Technical Center coordinated with Binh Dien Fertilizer Joint Stock Company to implement the Project "Smart coffee cultivation adapting to climate change" in Chieng Coi ward; from 2021 to 2024, the German Development Cooperation Organization (GIZ) implemented the Project "Enhancing resilience to climate change for poor coffee growing groups" in Dien Bien and Son La...

In the past 5 years, the whole province has replanted, rejuvenated and grafted 2,818 hectares of coffee; put into production new Arabica varieties such as TH1, TN7, TN9 and tested H1, Starmaya with high productivity and quality, suitable for local climate and soil. Thanks to that, the province has become the largest Arabica coffee growing region in the country. By 2025, the total coffee area of ​​the province will reach 24,300 hectares (an increase of 5,448 hectares), the province with the largest Arabica area in the country, with an output of more than 37,700 tons (an increase of nearly 11,000 tons compared to 2021). Of which, there are 1,120 hectares of specialty coffee; 23,448 hectares have achieved international sustainability certification (4C, RA), along with many VietGAP and organic models being replicated, attracting 1,560 households to participate in 2 high-tech growing areas. Thanks to that, Son La coffee brand is increasingly affirmed, the product has been protected by geographical indication and has 5 OCOP products; in which, there is a product that meets national 5-star standards.

Officials of the Provincial Agricultural Technical Center discuss techniques for treating weeds in coffee gardens using tarpaulin covers.

As one of the five large industrial coffee processing facilities in the province, Phuc Sinh Son La Joint Stock Company is linking 876 farming households in Chieng Mai and Muong Chanh communes to build a high-tech coffee growing area, with a total area of ​​over 670 hectares. At the same time, it is linking with 1,600 farming households, cultivating over 2,000 hectares, with an output of 15,000 - 18,000 tons of fresh coffee per year, equivalent to 4,000 tons of exported coffee beans.

Mr. Vu Viet Thang, Director of Phuc Sinh Son La Joint Stock Company, shared: In recent years, the Company has applied a scientific and strict production process; regularly organized technical training for associated households, guided sustainable farming such as pruning branches, fertilizing according to the "4 rights" principle, increasing the resistance of plants. The enterprise also implemented a combined agro-forestry model, intercropping canopy trees to regulate the microclimate, keep the soil moist; increased the use of organic fertilizers to improve fertility. At the same time, applying electronic farming diaries, early weather warnings, proactive production, improving the quality and value of coffee, meeting increasingly strict export standards.

During the 3 years of implementing the Project “Enhancing the resilience of poor coffee-producing groups to climate change”, many impressive results have been achieved in Son La, improving the capacity of 3,500 small-scale producers, focusing on developing high-quality seed sources, with 3 nursery models and 16 hectares of high-yield coffee seedling gardens.

Experimental model using tarpaulin to treat grass and keep soil moist of Phuc Sinh Son La Joint Stock Company.

Ms. Ha Thi Binh, Chieng Mai commune, shared: Thanks to participating in the sustainable farming training of the CRAS Project, her family's coffee production method has changed significantly. After 4 years of applying environmentally friendly measures such as maintaining grass cover, pruning, planting shade trees appropriately..., the soil has been improved, the trees are healthy, the yield is stable and the products meet international standards.

After one year of implementing the project "Smart coffee cultivation adapting to climate change" in Lua village, Chieng Coi ward, on an area of ​​2.7 hectares, farmers have been instructed on coffee cultivation techniques combined with the use of organic fertilizers, contributing to the development of a coffee production process adapting to climate change, improving soil fertility, reducing costs and greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing income for people. Ms. Nguyen Huyen Trang, an engineer at the Provincial Agricultural Technical Center, said: Increasing the use of organic fertilizers helps coffee trees grow well, with large fruits, a higher rate of flower and fruit set, and a significant increase in coffee bean productivity. The initial results are an important basis for replicating the sustainable coffee production model in the province.

By proactively replanting, applying sustainable organic techniques and closely connecting with businesses, the Son La coffee industry has formed a production ecosystem that is highly resilient to climate change. This is a technical step forward and an inevitable direction to protect coffee trees, improve the lives of growers and affirm the Son La coffee brand in the international market.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/kinh-te/canh-tac-ca-phe-thich-ung-voi-bien-doi-khi-hau-6bv3ux6Hg.html