Coffee Farming Brings New Hope to Rural Laos
From poppy fields to sustainable coffee cultivation, Vanmai Coffee Cooperative transforms livelihoods
Phuperp, a 22-year-old farmer in Laos, begins her day at 4 a.m. during harvest season, picking coffee berries in the shade, a crop she prefers over others like corn and rice. Her community in Houaphanh province, once reliant on opium cultivation, has been transformed through coffee farming, thanks to efforts led by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Lao government.
Phuperp, a member of the Vanmai Coffee Cooperative, now helps cultivate a sustainable future for over 341 households across 405 hectares. With Fairtrade certification and exports of over 230 tonnes, the cooperative has established international partnerships. UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the cooperative for its role in boosting rural economies and reducing drug trafficking.
The cooperative’s success is also driven by the Vanmai Women’s Network, which empowers women to lead in decision-making and manage initiatives like the Vanmai Coffee Cart in Vientiane, where Phuperp served coffee to Mr. Guterres. The cooperative is a testament to how sustainable alternatives can change lives and promote reforestation.
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Phuperp, a member of the Vanmai Coffee Cooperative, now helps cultivate a sustainable future for over 341 households across 405 hectares. With Fairtrade certification and exports of over 230 tonnes, the cooperative has established international partnerships. UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised the cooperative for its role in boosting rural economies and reducing drug trafficking.
The cooperative’s success is also driven by the Vanmai Women’s Network, which empowers women to lead in decision-making and manage initiatives like the Vanmai Coffee Cart in Vientiane, where Phuperp served coffee to Mr. Guterres. The cooperative is a testament to how sustainable alternatives can change lives and promote reforestation.
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