VIENTIANE: In Northern Laos, coffee farmers in Viengkham district began planting coffee seedlings in July as part of an initiative by South Korean NGO, Wonders International.
This project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency, promotes sustainable agriculture, helping smallholder farmers adopt eco-friendly practices and improve their income.
Wonders International’s project in Northern Laos focuses on empowering low-income farmers through sustainable community development.
The coffee initiative, launched to offer an alternative to slash-and-burn rice farming, provides farmers with coffee seedlings and training on growing techniques.
Since 2019, the Wonders International has encouraged farmers to plant coffee on hillsides over 800 meters high, a climate ideal for high-quality coffee.
In 2024, farmers from five villages - Samsum, Phousaly, Mokvat, Moktanet, and Phousanam - are now harvesting coffee cherries, generating income and sustaining their communities.
The project continues to expand, with more farmers joining annually.
Beyond seedlings, Wonders International provides essential farming equipment, pest control tools, and hands-on training to improve crop yields.
After the harvest, the Wonders International purchases beans from farmers, ensuring fair compensation and helping them access larger markets.
Coffee trees typically bear fruit within four years, making this project a valuable investment for long-term economic growth.
To further support farmers, Wonders International plans to create coffee farmer groups, offer management training, and build local processing facilities.
By nurturing this sustainable coffee industry, the Wonders International is cultivating a brighter, more prosperous future for Lao farmers. - Vientiane Times/ANN
