Coffee workshop emphasizes women's role in agriculture and community development

Following the launch of the program "Sustainable Women Coffee Ambassador" in the Central Highlands at the beginning of 2025, Bayer Vietnam, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Extension Center, Dak Lak Agricultural Extension Center, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Better Life Farming project, organized the workshop titled "Coffee Aroma—Women's Handprints" at the coffee gardens in Hiep Hung Commune, Dak Lak Province on Oct. 14, in celebration of Vietnam Women's Day on Oct. 20.

Miss Intercontinental 2022 and Miss World Vietnam 2024 Bao Ngoc (L, 3rd) speaking at a coffee workshop in Dak Lak, Oct. 14, 2025. Photo by Minh Thuan

Besides representatives from various government bodies, and key partners involved in the coffee value chain, the event was also graced by Miss Intercontinental 2022 and Miss World Vietnam 2024 Bao Ngoc, founder of the Gen Zero program—Youth for Sustainable Development. Her participation aimed not only to encourage women's involvement in sustainable agriculture but also to promote holistic health care for female farmers. "Empowered women are crucial in sustainable agriculture; we need to nurture not only the land but also the potential and health of women farmers," Ngoc said.

The workshop aimed to summarize the activities of the Coffee Ambassador Club, provide an overview of the models and activities implemented, and organize practical visits to coffee gardens to share experiences in sustainable farming. Participants had the opportunity to learn and exchange crop management solutions, discover ways to restore coffee gardens affected by climate change-related diseases, and explore agricultural practices that meet export standards for international markets.

The attendees listening to the story of female farmers at a workshop in Dak Lak Province, Oct. 14, 2025. Photo by Minh Thuan

The report from models where female coffee ambassadors directly implement sustainable farming solutions shows remarkable improvements in various indicators, including enhanced plant growth, healthier trees, longer branch lengths, lower dead branch rates, improved fruit retention rates, and increased reserve branch lengths. These advancements not only boost current and future fruit yields but also significantly enhance economic efficiency, with a 10–15% increase compared to traditional farming methods.

Attendees also had the opportunity to explore the five golden principles and the "4 Rights" (right product, right time, right dosage, right application) in farming to ensure safe and effective use of plant protection products. Additionally, female farmers gained knowledge about health care, particularly concerning issues of community interest.

At the event, Dinh Van Dang, Director of the Agricultural Extension Center of Dak Lak Province, emphasized the importance of expanding collaboration with key partners in vital crops across provinces. He highlighted the critical role of building capacity for farmers, particularly regarding inclusivity and gender. "Our goal is to empower each farming household with agricultural knowledge and build strong families, thereby enhancing farmers' livelihoods and agricultural productivity, contributing to rural development and sustainable community growth," he said.

Dr. Ngo Van Hung, Head of the Department of Cardiology at the Central Highlands General Hospital, shared valuable knowledge on hypertension management and stroke prevention with local farmers during the seminar. Photo by Minh Thuan

According to Kg Krishnamurthy, Country Commercial Lead of Crop Science Vietnam, empowering women in agriculture is crucial not only for the families they support but also for the resilience of entire farming communities. By providing women with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed, we contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural sector.

Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who has actively participated in the Sustainable Women Coffee Ambassador project and attended various training sessions, said her experience has been transformative.

"Since joining this project, I have gained invaluable insights and techniques that have improved my farming methods and boosted my confidence in managing my coffee gardens," Thuy shared. "The training sessions have equipped me with technical skills and useful knowledge not only about effective farming but also about healthcare."

She also emphasized that the program provides opportunities for sharing experiences within the community, connecting various partners to enhance experiences and bring joy to her daily farming work.

Vietnam's coffee industry is experiencing significant growth in 2025, with export revenues in the first seven months surpassing all previous records. The coffee sector is on track to hit a milestone of $8 billion, reaffirming Vietnam's position as a global coffee powerhouse.

According to the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (VICOFA), around 1.1 million tons of coffee valued at $6 billion have been exported from January to July 2025. This marks a 7.4% increase in volume and an extraordinary 65% increase in value compared to the same period last year, far exceeding the previous annual record of $5.62 billion set in 2024.

With key markets including Europe, the United States, China, and Japan, the demand and standards are becoming more diverse than ever. Supporting farmers, particularly women farmers, is essential to driving the economy and ensuring that Vietnamese coffee remains resilient and continues to expand on the international stage.

"The success of this program not only provided valuable knowledge and skills to the participants but also contributed to building a sense of community, collaboration, and shared goals among all stakeholders. The event served as a vital reminder of the indispensable role women play in agriculture and the potential they hold to shape a sustainable future for Vietnam's coffee industry," said an event's representative.