Seeds of Change: Korean NGO supports sustainable Laotian coffee farmers

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.

Funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency, this project promotes sustainable agriculture and helps small farmers adopt environmentally 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 was launched to provide an alternative to slash-and-burn rice cultivation. It provides farmers with coffee seedlings and offers them training on cultivation techniques.

Since 2019, Wonders International has been encouraging farmers to grow coffee on slopes over 800 meters high, a climate ideal for high-quality coffee.

In 2024, farmers from five villages – Samsum, Phousaly, Mokvat, Moktanet and Phousanam – will harvest coffee cherries, generate income and support their communities.

The project continues to expand and more farmers join every year.

Beyond seedlings, Wonders International provides essential agricultural equipment, pest control tools and hands-on training to improve crop yields.

After the harvest, Wonders International purchases beans from farmers to ensure fair compensation and help 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 establish coffee farmer groups, provide management training and build local processing facilities.

By promoting this sustainable coffee industry, Wonders International is cultivating a better and more prosperous future for Lao farmers. – Vientiane Times/ANN