Phongsaly farmers reap rewards of coffee crop
Phongsaly farmers reap rewards of coffee crop
Coffee growers in Samphan district, Phongsaly province, have now begun to harvest their beans after waiting almost four years for the shrubs to mature.
Planting began several years ago with the backing of a Chinese company which provided technical advice, funding and market security.
The farmers contributed their land, planted the coffee trees and tended to them.
Deputy Head of Samphan district's Agriculture and Forestry Office, Mr Bounhieng Sensoulin, said coffee was first planted in 2011-12 on a limited area of land.
“This has now been extended to over 570 hectares across the district and the company has plans to further expand to around 3,000 hectares within five years,” he said.
This year the growers are harvesting their coffee for the first time. They have picked seven to eight tonnes of coffee beans on an area of three to four hectares.
“All the beans will be bought by the Chinese company for 2,800 kip per kg,” Mr Bounhieng said, adding that the beans will be ground before being shipped to China.
“2014-15 will be a productive time for the farmers. They will be able to harvest their crop and reap the financial rewards now that the shrubs are mature,” he added.
Growers would be able to harvest over 100 tonnes of coffee, he said, and their families would benefit from this added income.
The authorities in Samphan district are working with local farmers to promote the cultivation of commercial crops, including cardamom, coffee and other produce.
“At first farmers here did not understand the implications of commercial production but now they are more interested in growing commercial crops rather than rice,” Mr Bounhieng said.
A representative of the Chinese company said they had partnered with local authorities to promote agricultural activities in the district as well as buying the harvested crop.
“We buy the green coffee beans from the farmers for 2,800 kip per kg in line with our agreement but we also make sure their produce meets our standards,” he said.
The company would buy more coffee if the farmers extended their growing area.
vientiane times
