Farmers of the Ea Kiet Co-operative in Cư Mgar District, Đak Lak Province have applied sustainable coffee production since 2011. They have received training in planting, harvesting and drying coffee based on clean and eco-friendly standards.
During the production process, inorganic waste must be collected while organic waste is kept as fertilizer. Farmers should grow other kinds of plants to create shade for the coffee plants.
Vo Manh Tuoi grows 2 hectares of coffee applying FLO standards. Caring and fertilizing are based on seasonal conditions and the weather. This has saved about 15% on fertilizer costs, while productivity remains stable.
There are currently 97 households growing 180 hectares of coffee in the co-operative. The co-operative has also invested in a 15 tonne capacity processing plant. Thanks to changes in growing and processing method, prices have been increased.
The success of Ea Kiet Co-operative shows that sustainable production is crucial to increasing coffee value.
