Vanmai Coffee study tour to Bolaven Plateau in Paksong, Champasack. Group visiting an established coffee plantation.
“Travelling together gives us a chance to talk about our struggles but also become friends who can look forward to the success of Vanmai Coffee”
“I have travelled here from Hui Yam village in Xone District along with many farmers from villages in Huaphan. I am the village deputy for my village, I have 5 children and my family has been working on growing coffee over the last two years now.”
Mr. Jouma asking coffee experts questions regarding the depulping machine and the wet processing of coffee.
“This study trip is exactly what we needed right now. Learning from experts at the Coffee Research Institute and with established farmers and cooperatives here, I have learned so much in just five days already. The farmers in my village and I have been very worried about our coffee, we have been working on it for two years now but we have not made any money from it. I know next year after our first harvest we will make some money but it’s hard not to worry, especially since we’ve never grown coffee before. But during this trip we have met many farmers and experts who have been such a good help. I have gotten answers to all of my questions.”
The group shares jokes as they walk through the coffee plantation.
“I also really enjoyed our trip here. I have never been to the South of Laos before, it’s so nice seeing more of my country. On the bus trip from Huaphanh to Paksong, we had 3 days of travel together before we arrived here for the training. It was a long trip but it was actually very nice because it gave us all a chance to get to know each other. I know everyone in my village but I don’t really know the other farmers from the further districts. Travelling together gives us a chance to talk about our struggles together but also become friends who can look forward to the success of Vanmai Coffee together.”
Farmers learning about the fermentation and the washing of the coffee beans.
“But there is a lot of work to be done and a lot to be worried about. If you asked me before this trip, I would say 90% of my worries were about who if anyone would buy our coffee but after this trip I would say 90% of my worries are about ensuring good quality and 10% about buyers. I didn’t know what a big coffee market there was in the world but also in Laos. Talking to the farmers here, they are more worried about how much quality coffee they can produce more so than who will buy their coffee. So now I think we have to change our thinking too- rather than worry about markets, we should be focusing on how much good coffee we can produce. The more good coffee we produce, the more we will sell. We just need to work hard.”
Farmers participating in a coffee tasting at the CPC coffee tasting lab.
“But you know our people are not too educated, we don’t know many things about running a business. I am worried about my knowledge and I am also worried about the knowledge of others in our community. With starting a cooperative, one person cannot just know everything. Everyone must learn. So I will go back after this trip and work with the farmers in my village and teach them everything I have learned. We have a lot of work to do- my community also has no knowledge on using computers but if we will have a big business we need to learn to search and get information and communicate with our buyers.”
Mr. Jouma preparing to make coffee in his village.
“But I am very happy we are closer with one another as a group of farmers. We shared many stories, ideas and ways we can improve our coffee together. We all want to improve our life for our families, we want to set up something that can be passed on to our children so they do not have to worry about their income. If we work together like this I am hopeful that we can achieve something good.”
