Currently, several districts and communes have identified coffee as a key crop in their agricultural development strategies. This has led to increased efforts in raising awareness and encouraging farmers to restructure their crops, promoting the expansion of coffee cultivation areas to improve income and foster sustainable agricultural economic growth.

According to statistics from the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, by the end of 2024, the province had 4,500 hectares of coffee, concentrated in two districts of Mường Ảng and Tuần Giáo. To ensure a supply of high-quality seedlings for replanting and expanding new cultivation areas, the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment has certified 1,497 Catimor Arabica coffee trees. These are standardized seed sources, enabling the proactive provision of quality seedlings for production and contributing to the sustainable development of local coffee.

Coffee cultivation in Tuần Giáo district began in the 2000s. Through various development stages, coffee has demonstrated its adaptability to local soil and climate conditions while showcasing its economic potential. With an average yield of 7-8 tons of fresh cherries per hectare and an annual output of around 4,000 tons, coffee provides a stable income for growers. At an average selling price of VNĐ 10,000/kg, coffee farmers can earn profits of VNĐ 50-60 million per year, several times higher than growing corn. Beyond its high economic value, coffee trees have a lifespan of 15-20 years, allowing multiple harvests from a single planting, while also greening bare land and barren hills, contributing to environmental protection. Currently, all coffee products from Tuần Giáo are guaranteed to be purchased by Viet Bac Coffee Import-Export Co., Ltd. at market prices, with a minimum of VNĐ 10,000/kg or USD 0.4/kg, a commitment extending until 2050.

Leveraging these advantages, Tuần Giáo district has approved a policy to develop coffee as a flagship crop, guiding agricultural restructuring and crop conversion to boost local economic growth. In 2024, Tuần Giáo planted an additional 1,032.7 hectares of coffee, achieving 516.4% of the set plan, bringing the total coffee area to 1,578.71 hectares, with an estimated 491.9 hectares ready for harvest and a projected output of 700 tons. Of this, the state supported three projects covering 123 hectares, while farmers independently planted 909.7 hectares.

Tỏa Tình commune currently has 729.09 hectares of coffee, accounting for nearly 50% of the district’s total coffee area, including 354 hectares in production and 247.44 hectares in the establishment phase. The coffee output in 2024 reached 2,832 tons. Thanks to coffee, many households in Tỏa Tình have not only escaped poverty but also accumulated wealth, rising to prosperity. Coffee has now greened all seven villages in the commune, replacing former corn, cassava, and upland rice fields. A notable example is Hua Sa B village, where 100% of households grow coffee.

Mr. Vừ Gà Nếnh’s household in Hua Sa B village owns over 4 hectares of coffee, with 3 hectares in production. He shared, “Coffee suits Tỏa Tình’s climate and soil, suffers little from pests and diseases, grows well, and delivers high and stable yields. Although coffee prices fluctuate yearly, its economic efficiency far surpasses traditional crops. For instance, in 2024, my 3 hectares yielded over 25 tons, and at an average price of VNĐ 16,000/kg, my family earned around VNĐ 400 million.”

Aiming to become a coffee raw material hub, Tuần Giáo district has set a target to plant over 2,000 hectares of coffee in 2025. To implement this effectively, the district is promoting a socialized approach to coffee development. The district supports farmers in seedling production by providing seeds, plant protection chemicals, lime for seed treatment, nursery bags, phosphorus fertilizer, and technical guidance. Farmers handle land preparation, care, and fertilization according to expert instructions. Coffee planting will prioritize communes with suitable soil conditions, such as Tỏa Tình, Tênh Phông, Quài Tở, Chiềng Sinh, Quài Cang, Pú Nhung, Quài Nưa, Mùn Chung, and Mường Mùn. Local authorities at all levels in Tuần Giáo have organized awareness campaigns in 162 villages across 18 communes, attracting nearly 18,000 households. As a result, nearly 3,900 households have registered to plant coffee in 2025, covering 2,339.5 hectares (117% of the planned target).

To ensure sustainable coffee development, Tuần Giáo district is actively calling for investment, facilitating enterprises to link with farmers for product off-take and establishing processing plants locally. The district plans to develop collection and preliminary processing points in communes and build a coffee processing plant in Quài Cang on a 2.3-hectare site (at the former Tây Bắc Việt Forest Wood Processing Plant). The plant is expected to have a capacity of 120 tons of fresh cherries per day.

Besides Tuần Giáo, coffee has been a companion to many households in Mường Ảng for over 30 years. The district currently has 2,560 hectares of coffee, mostly in production. In recent years, with funding from national target programs, Mường Ảng has intensified support for highland farmers to convert low-yield crops to coffee. In 2024 alone, Mường Ảng planted 500 new hectares of coffee, while many households proactively replanted and rejuvenated aging coffee areas to maintain productivity and quality.

Mr. Lò Văn Đưa’s household in Tin Tốc village, Ẳng Nưa commune, has been growing coffee since 2007 and now owns 1.5 hectares in production. He said, “Thanks to government support, I replaced degraded coffee areas with high-quality new varieties. I have also actively applied advanced techniques in care and harvesting to improve economic efficiency.”

Since 2023, Điện Biên Đông district has started coffee cultivation and expanded to 128 hectares. Initial results show that coffee adapts well to local soil and climate conditions, opening up long-term development potential. In 2025, Điện Biên Đông will continue encouraging farmers to shift from upland crops to coffee, aiming not only to enhance economic efficiency but also to expand the province’s coffee raw material zone, laying a solid foundation for sustainable coffee industry growth.