Mr Somdee shares his experience of incorporating coffee cultivation alongside rice and sweetcorn farming.

Mokvat farmers embrace coffee cultivation for sustainable livelihoods

Farmers in Mokvat village, Viengkham district, Luang Prabang province, are increasingly turning to coffee cultivation, encouraged by the crop’s long-term economic benefits.
This shift is further supported by the recent establishment of a coffee processing station by Wonders
International, a South Korean NGO that adopts a market-based approach to promote sustainable businesses for local communities.
Mr Somdee, the village head of Mokvat, has been a farmer for over 45 years, previously growing rice and sweetcorn. However, in 2019, he decided to start coffee farming, recognising its potential to provide a stable income and environmental advantages.”I am very happy that, with the support of Wonders International, a coffee processing station has been established in our village. This station will not only benefit our farmers but also those in neighbouring villages. It will support our children in the future as well,” Mr Somdee said.
Coffee farming requires patience, as it takes three to four years for a tree to mature and yield beans ready for processing. This initial waiting period is a challenge, particularly for new farmers. Despite this, the number of coffee growers in Mokvat is steadily increasing.
Since starting coffee farming in 2019, Wonders International has spent several years developing new initiatives and collaborating with Viengkham district authorities to expand cultivation. With the support of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the KRX Happy Foundation starting in 2024, the project has further developed and is expected to continue benefiting local communities.
Mr Somdee added “At first, we didn’t fully understand why coffee farming was necessary when Wonders International introduced it to us. However, after experiencing the success of the first farmers who took the risk, more people in our village followed. Now, we have 42 new farmers registered to grow coffee next year, up from 29 previously.”
He highlighted the progress made in the current harvesting season, which has been improving year by year. Looking ahead, production is expected to increase, bringing the possibility of higher revenues in the future.
“I believe coffee farming is a promising solution to reducing poverty. Many families in Mokvat still struggle financially, but if they transition to coffee cultivation, their income will improve within a few years. Coffee is one of the most popular beverages globally, and I am confident that our farmers can compete with global coffee providers by producing high-quality coffee. Since 2019, I have encouraged more families in my village to take up coffee farming,” he said.
With continued support and growing interest among local farmers, coffee cultivation in Mokvat is expected to expand, providing a sustainable source of income for future generations.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update April 10, 2025)