Laos promotes coffee growing to boost livelihoods

LAOS is promoting coffee growing to improve rural livelihoods and boost the country’s agricultural production.
More than 800 families in northern Laos’ Huaphan province have shifted from opium poppy cultivation to coffee farming, planting 800 hectares of coffee trees and generating exports worth over US$1.37 million. The transition has also supported the rehabilitation of 100 former opium addicts, according to a report from the Lao-UN Opium Replacement Development Project, published during a meeting on 6 November to summarize the project’s achievements and set future directions.
The project was carried out in 38 villages across the province, providing sustainable alternatives to opium cultivation through livelihood development, improved food security, and drug rehabilitation services. From 2017 to 2025, farmers received high-quality coffee seeds, organic fertilizer, nursery equipment, and training.
To boost quality and market access, the initiative also funded roasting facilities, drying sheds, and water reservoirs in 12 villages. From 2021 to 2025, 12 containers of coffee were exported, generating more than $1.37 million in revenue.
Laos is working with its partners to expand coffee cultivation in parts of the country, aiming to increase production, ensure a stable supply for both domestic and export markets, and promote modern, clean, safe, and quality-focused farming practices for sustainable development. —Xinhua

GNLM