Vietnam Quang Tri - Ended
''Farmer Field Schools as training methodology for better crop management in Tan Lam''.
Introduction
In 2001, this project started as a public-private partnership of Talaco, Kraft Foods, DE Foundation and GTZ. Talaco is a former state-owned enterprise that buys coffee berries from contracted producers and processes these into green beans for export and local consumption. Kraft Foods was responsible for activities related to the improvement in coffee processing. DE Foundation took the responsibility for the agronomic issues. GTZ supported financially and with expertise in all activities. In 2004, the project was prolonged to solve a number of social issues mainly with ethnic minorities in remote areas.
In June 2006, the project came to an end. Coffee producers agreed that the objectives had been achieved and it was time to continue without further external support. The project ending was celebrated with a big party, with around a thousand producers, their families, officials from the district and support staff.
Focus of the project
To improve coffee cultivation practices and to develop an organization that can support producers by providing technical advice.
Activities
A technical service department was established to facilitate the set-up of Farmer Field School (FFS), FFS meetings, to execute simple field experiments, organize and analyze crop management registration by producers. Our efforts in combination with those by Kraft Foods drew the attentoin fo the Vietnamese Minsitry of Agriculture and Rural Development. During an official project evaluaiton by experts from the Ministry it was decided to seek was to roll out learnings from this and other coffee projects. After a process of intensive and wide-spread consultation this resulted in the Vietnam Coffee Sector Development Programme.
Results
- Project participants used less artificial fertilizers and pesticides, while improving their average production
- Reduction of waste due to processing improvements
- Talaco and its contract producers obtained UTZ Certified certification in 2003
- Talaco and contract producers have continued the Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and the certification UTZ Certified without support of the DE Foundation
Partners
- Tan Lam Agricultural Products Joint Stock Company (Talaco)
- Plant Research International (PRI)
- EDE Consulting
- Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit
- Kraft Foods
Contact information
Michiel Kuit: michiel@kuit-consultancy.com
Jan von Enden: jan.enden@hrnstiftung.org
Map of the region
Details
| Improvement of coffee quality and sustainability of coffee production in Vietnam | |
| Location |
Khe Sanh, Quang Tri Province |
| Products |
Semi-wet processed Arabica |
| Duration |
2001-2006 |
| Elevation |
600-700 m |
| Project farms |
150 farms, 1,000 people reached |
| Average farm size |
1 ha with only coffee, producing 3000 kg green coffee |
Results so far
- More efficient use of fertilizers & pesticides
- Improvement of production and productivity
- Production costs reduced by 31%
- Gross margin at farm level tripled
- Enormous reduction of waste
- Producers are UTZ Certified
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Our methods and philosophy
The DE Foundation works to further sustainability in mainstream coffee and tea, working in particular with small-scale producers. In 3-5 years projects we work to improve the quality of their produce, support the implementation of sustainable practices and create market access with better prices.
Annual Report
DE Foundation is fully sponsored by Sara Lee’s Coffee and Tea division. As a non-profit organisation, the foundation receives an annual donation of € 1.2 million. This money is spent on DE Foundation projects in accordance with the strategy agreed upon by the DE Foundation Board.