Outstanding farmers from the NESCAFÉ Plan visit the Nestlé Trị An factory to learn about coffee production processes and explore export-grade coffee varieties. Photo courtesy of the firm

ĐỒNG NAI — Nestlé Việt Nam has reaffirmed its commitment to putting farmers at the centre of sustainable agriculture through a dialogue titled 'The role of farmers in regenerative agriculture', held this week at its Nestlé Trị An factory in Đồng Nai Province.

Gathering 60 outstanding farmers from the NESCAFÉ Plan along with agricultural officers and experts, the event celebrated the dedication of those pioneering a shift towards sustainable coffee farming and regenerative agriculture in Việt Nam.

Binu Jacob, General Director of Nestlé Việt Nam, welcomes the farmers. Photo courtesy of the firm

Speaking at the event, Binu Jacob, General Director of Nestlé Việt Nam, welcomed the group of farmers to the factory and highlighted the company’s long-term commitment to supporting farming communities.

“At Nestlé, people are at the heart of our sustainability journey. Through the NESCAFÉ Plan, we aim to accompany farmers in adopting regenerative agriculture and improving livelihoods and quality of life. We are proud to work alongside dedicated farmers to create sustainable value for Việt Nam’s coffee industry and future generations,” he said.

During the dialogue, farmers shared their experiences applying good agricultural practices, scientific innovation and digital tools in coffee cultivation. The discussions offered a chance to reflect on their transformation journey towards regenerative farming under the guidance of Nestlé’s agricultural experts.

As part of the programme, participants toured the Nestlé Trị An factory to observe modern coffee production and processing technologies. They also had the opportunity to experience product tastings and exchange ideas with engineers and technical specialists.

The visit helped farmers better understand the journey of Vietnamese coffee beans — from the farm to finished products exported to nearly 40 markets worldwide, including Europe, Japan, South Korea and the United States.

Director of the Nestlé Trị An factory Trương Hoàng Phương noted that farmers are not only a vital link in the supply chain, but also a bridge connecting Vietnamese coffee to the world.

“To produce high-quality coffee, modern facilities and strict quality control are essential, but the foundation lies in the quality of raw materials. Farmers are the starting point of quality, while the factory is where that value is spread globally,” he said.

For farmers like Đào Duy Quỳnh from Gia Lai Province, who has been part of the NESCAFÉ Plan since its early days, the programme has been transformative.

“Joining the NESCAFÉ Plan changed the way we work completely,” he said. “From traditional farming, we learned to apply scientific techniques, regenerative practices and digital farm management. Our yields and incomes have improved significantly.

"Visiting the Nestlé Trị An factory made me even prouder, seeing how our coffee is processed to reach global markets. It motivates us to keep farming sustainably and contribute to Việt Nam’s coffee sector.”

Since its launch in 2011, the NESCAFÉ Plan has been jointly implemented by Nestlé Việt Nam, the Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (WASI), local agricultural extension centres and other partners.

The programme aims to support farmers in transitioning to regenerative agriculture, enhancing productivity, conserving water, protecting ecosystems and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Over the past 12 years, more than 467,000 training sessions on sustainable coffee farming have been delivered to households nationwide. Each year, the programme supports over 21,000 farming households and has distributed 86 million high-yield, pest-resistant and drought-tolerant coffee seedlings, rejuvenating more than 86,000 hectares of ageing coffee plantations.

Through regenerative farming techniques, participating farmers have achieved water savings of 40–60 per cent, reduced the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides by 20 per cent, and increased household incomes by 30–150 per cent.

By placing farmers at the centre of innovation and sustainability, Nestlé Việt Nam’s NESCAFÉ Plan continues to strengthen the foundations of a resilient and responsible coffee industry — one that grows from the dedication of those who cultivate each bean, and connects Vietnamese agriculture more deeply with the global value chain. — VNS