Proper fertilizer use cuts costs, boosts coffee output in Vietnam Central Highlands

Coffee farmers in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong have been able to reduce costs by 10-15% and boost yield by 20% with proper use of fertilizers.

Petrovietnam Fertilizer and Chemicals Corporation (PVFCCo), a subsidiary of state-owned Petrovietnam, has cooperated with the Soils and Fertilizers Institute under the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences to use its Phu My fertilizers on the coffee farm of Do Thi Nga, a farmer in Lam Dong province.

On an area of 0.5 hectares, experts analyzed pH levels, organic matter, nitrogen and potassium, to come up with a suitable fertilizer use plan.

Nga affirmed that after one month of the plan’s first phase, she was able to see strong growth in the roots, branches and leaves of her coffee plants. Furthermore, the trees were more resistant to diseases and pests, and fruit quality had improved.

Earlier, fertilizer use was not done scientifically, leading to overuse or underuse. Properly done with the help of experts, fertilizer use helped improve nutrition and humidity of the soil, lowering production costs by 10-15%, Nga said.

Regaining soil quality

Luong Duc Tri, an expert with the Research Center for Highland Soils, Fertilizers & Environment, confirmed that the use of Phu My fertilizers boosted yield at Nga’s farms by 20%. Better plant health will keep the yield high in subsequent crops as well, he added.

Coffee beans were 13-19% bigger in size and 20-25% more invulnerable to diseases and pests, he said, adding that this has resulted in lesser pesticide use, benefiting the environment, farmers’ health and soil quality.

The new plan has restored balanced nutrition for the soil, Tri said, adding that it will be implemented in more coffee farms to improve soil quality, product quality and farmers’ incomes.

Dang Huu Thang, vice head of PVFCCo’s R&D department, said the company’s product has been a leading fertilizer brand in Vietnam. Over the last 20 years, the company has provided high quality products and technical solutions that help achieve optimal farm operations.

Coffee plants on Nga’s farm have shown better data than that of the control group, Thang said.

The company organizes conferences on efficient use of fertilizers with the participation of scientists, officials businesses, and farmers to build models based on technological advancements.

He said the company now runs six schemes using Phu My fertilizers in the Central Highlands for many plant varieties.

Sustainable agriculture

Since October 2021, the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has been implementing a program of using fertilizers towards sustainable agriculture. PVFCCo is one of 15 partners in this program.

The two sides cooperate in training farmers on economical and efficient usage of fertilizers and recognition of counterfeit products.

Soil in the Central Highlands region has degraded after years of farming and lasting solutions are needed for the soil to regain its quality, Tri said. Proper use of fertilizers will reduce risks and improve yields, he added.