RegenX
Transitioning to regenerative coffee farming in Vietnam
About the project
For this project, Đom Đóm partnered with RegenX to create and implement a plan for transitioning to regenerative farming practices for coffee farmers in the Central Highlands, Vietnam.
Farmers in this region typically use large amounts ammonium-based synthetic fertilizers, which over time has lead to severe soil acidification in a region with naturally acidic soils. These fertilizers also come with a major cost to the environment, requiring large amounts of energy to produce, as well as polluting the atmosphere and water systems during application due to nitrogen volatilization and leaching.
Our plan was to educate farmers around the need to reduce applications of mineral fertilizers, whilst simultaneously building soil health through regenerative practices such as compost applications, mulching, cover cropping, intercropping, micronutrient applications and the use of indigenous microbial inputs.
Farmer training in Ea Tóh, Đắk Lắk where farmers learned techniques such as composting
Small steps, big impact
Working with around 100 farmers across two different communes in the region, we raised awareness of the need to convert to regenerative practices, and saw a reduction in the use of synthetic mineral fertilizers. Whilst the transition is often slow in these communities, there was clear signs of changing mindsets among both the young and older generations.
Many farmers began to adopt practices such as composting coffee husks, using natural pesticides made from local plants, and using fish hydrolysate as a foliar spray to provide nitrogen and micronutrients.
