NINE COFFEE farmer leaders from the provinces of Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, Ifugao, and General Santos City visited Vietnam from May 20 to 25, 2024 to learn firsthand the best practices in coffee production and processing of the second largest coffee producer in the world, behind Brazil.
Spearheaded by the Peace and Equity Foundation, in partnership with the Philippine Coffee Guild and Pinoy Coffee Club Vietnam, the learning visit brought the farmers to three coffee farms in Pleiku, Gia Lai in the Central Highlands region.
During the farm tour, the farmers discovered good agricultural practices in land preparation, soil and water management, pest and disease control, and fertilizer application.
Vietnamese producers Highlands Tropico and Vietnam Coffee Academy also shared their experiences and expertise in processing high-valued coffee, showing the farmers their green coffee processing plants and roasteries.
Meanwhile, Mori Coffee, known for its specialty robusta in Vietnam, demonstrated its natural and honey processing methods.
“This learning visit is an eye-opener for coffee farmers like us. We are looking to implement what we’ve learned in our farms,” Bukidnon farmer leader Noel Duyongan said.
The delegation was welcomed by representatives from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce Vietnam and the Department of Trade and Industry Attaché in Ho Chi Minh City.
