The six-day contest, which began on March 13 at the Buon Ma Thuot CoffeeFestival, is part of the NESCAFE Plan project developed by Nestle Vietnam andthe Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (WASI).
Each district has sent a team of 30-40 farmers chosen from among participantsin the project, which has been implemented in the Central Highlands since 2011.
Following training in sustainable coffee production by agricultural and WASIexperts, these farmers have embraced advanced technologies to improve theirproductivity and income.
The contest tests their knowledge of methods to improve the soil, how toproperly fertilise coffee plants and prevent diseases, production processes andlabour safety equipment, farming diary notes and others.
It will not only help contestants improve their farming knowledge but alsoprovide a platform for them to exchange information and experience in coffeeproduction and trading with each other and with experts from the project.
The project has so far helped 21,000 farmers obtain the 4C international coffeecertificate, distributed more than 15 million high-yield, disease-resistantcoffee seedlings to farmers to replant, and provided training to nearly 150,000farmers, enabling them to effect a 40 percent saving in water and 20 percent infertilisers and raise their income by 40 percent.
Its model of growing other crops among coffee trees has helped double farmers’incomes and improve the soil.-VNA