Sustainable Coffee Farming: Phuoc Son and Nestlé Work with Farmers for Greener Agriculture

Promoting sustainable coffee

A sustainable coffee farming project with an agroforestry model – NESCAFÉ Plan

Last week, Phuoc Son and Nestlé held a training course on sustainable coffee farming with an agroforestry model.

As climate change hits agriculture ever harder, and Vietnamese coffee in particular, sustainable farming methods have become an urgent need. The project "Sustainable coffee farming with an agroforestry model – 4C coffee group – NESCAFÉ Plan" was set up to help farmers make the most of their production, protect natural resources and improve the quality of their coffee.

Building knowledge for sustainable farming

This training course showed farmers how to:

• Apply the agroforestry model and make the most of their land.
• Save irrigation water and protect the environment with well-planned watering.
• Improve the soil ecosystem by using less chemical fertiliser and crop protection products.

Agroforestry: a sustainable answer for coffee

One of the highlights of the project is planting timber or fruit trees among the coffee, which brings many benefits:

• Extra income from the second crop.
• Better soil fertility and less erosion.
• Moisture kept in and temperatures lowered in the coffee garden, so the trees grow healthier.

The project also focuses on using irrigation water efficiently, especially in the dry season, with techniques such as:

• Working out the right amount of water for each growth stage of the coffee tree.
• Measuring soil moisture to avoid wasting water.
• Using recycled materials (plastic bottles, condensed milk cans) to measure water precisely.

Lasting impact and benefits

The project brings benefits now and also looks to long-term sustainability:

• Protecting the environment and cutting emissions from farming.
• Giving farmers more sources of income instead of relying on coffee alone.
• Raising the quality of Vietnamese coffee to meet international standards.

4C premium payments: encouraging sustainable growth

Alongside the training, Phuoc Son made the first round of 4C premium payments in March 2025 to more than 500 farming households in the following areas:

Gia Lâm, Nam Ban, Mê Linh, Đông Thanh, Đông Anh, Thanh Trì, Thôn Tầm Xá, Từ Liêm 1, Từ Liêm 2, Nam Hà, Preteing 1 & 2 – Phú Sơn, Rteng 1 & 2 – Phú Sơn, Ngọc Sơn – Phú Sơn, Lạc Sơn, Bằng Tiêng – Phú Sơn, Đạ Đờn, Đinh Văn – Lâm Hà, Tân Văn – Tân Hà.

These premiums are a real encouragement, giving farmers the confidence to invest in sustainable farming.

Phuoc Son and Nestlé: alongside farmers towards greener agriculture

The training and support for farmers not only make coffee production more efficient but also help to:

• Protect ecosystems against climate change.
• Build a sustainable, green and clean agriculture.
• Support the long-term growth of Vietnam's coffee industry.

In closing

The project "Sustainable coffee farming with an agroforestry model" not only improves yields and incomes but also protects natural resources and the environment.

If you grow coffee or are interested in this model, find out more so you can take part and benefit from these practices.