Bayer Vietnam launches Centre of Excellence to advance sustainable durian and coffee farming in the Central Highlands

• Evolving from the success of the Better Life Farming initiative, the Center of Excellence (CoE) marks a strategic shift to empower large-scale farms and export-oriented cooperatives.
• Structured as a multi-stakeholder Public-Private Partnership (PPP) platform, the CoE unites diverse partners to provide integrated solutions, knowledge transfer and technology access for more sustainable and resilient farming system.
• In response to the global call from the FAO, Bayer has launched the "International Year of Woman Farmers 2026" campaign to strengthen capabilities and support 2,000 female farmers.

Đắk Lắk, June 06, 2026 – At the Experimental Production Area of the Western Highlands Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (WASI), Bayer Vietnam, in collaboration with strategic partners, officially hosted the Launch Ceremony of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for durian and coffee. This model is designed as a collaborative platform to help farmers access innovative solutions, strengthen knowledge transfer and support more sustainable and resilient food value chains in the Central Highlands.

The event was honored by the attendance of leadership from the National Agricultural Extension Center (NAEC), the Plant Protection Department (PPD), WASI, and the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Dak Lak Province, as well as Bayer Vietnam, supply chain partners, production cooperatives, processing and export enterprises, alongside a large number of local farmers, were also in attendance. 

Addressing key challenges in Central Highlands agriculture

Currently, the durian and coffee production sectors in the Western Highlands face significant pressures from climate change, escalating pest and disease outbreaks, fragmented technical practices, strict residue compliance barriers, and weak linkages between farmers and end markets. In this context, the CoE model has been established as a milestone initiative to facilitate the transfer of practical knowledge and the application of integrated, science-based cultivation solutions.

They also visited WASI’s experimental production area to experience a comprehensive ecosystem of solutions from Bayer and partners, including integrated crop management practices, residue management aligned with market requirements, digital and precision farming tools, and stronger linkages to financing and markets.

Effective Public–Private Partnerships: A Key Driver of Sustainable Agriculture

The launch of the CoE model marks a strategic milestone built upon the success of the Bayer-initiated Better Life Farming program. While Better Life Farming focused on empowering and strengthening the capabilities of smallholder farmers, the CoE model represents a powerful evolution—aiming to engage large-scale farms, centralized production zones, export-oriented cooperatives, and value chain partners. In doing so, it aims to help scale sustainable farming models and strengthen collaboration across the agricultural ecosystem.

A highlight of the event was the public-private partnership commitment ceremony, reaffirming the role of all parties in jointly building, operating and scaling the CoE model across the Central Highlands.

Alongside technology and processing partners, Bayer Vietnam leads the private sector in developing concrete action plans and training materials, while other partners provide solutions for water management, weather forecasting, automated spraying, and market connectivity. 
Working in close coordination with the private sector, public-sector partners, including the PPD, the NAEC, and WASI—provide strategic direction and guidance. They set standards for IPHM, ensure compliance with export-level MRLs, support the issuance of planting area codes, and implement field trials as well as on-the-ground training programs.

Speaking at the event, Mr. KG Krishnamurthy, Country Head of Crop Science, Bayer Vietnam, shared: “Farmers are at the heart of everything we do. At Bayer, we believe that sustainable agriculture is not measured solely by yield or revenue, but by the long-term value it creates for farmers, the environment, and communities. The Centre of Excellence (CoE) model reflects our long-term commitment, alongside our public and private partners, to advancing sustainable agriculture in the Central Highlands and across Vietnam.

We envision this model as a dynamic knowledge ecosystem, delivering comprehensive support that connects farmers, cooperatives, and processing enterprises, enabling them to adopt technologies, adapt to climate and market changes, and ultimately enhance the global standing of Central Highlands agricultural products, contributing to a more prosperous and sustainable future.”
 

Launching the “International Year of Women Farmers 2026”

In addition to providing technological solutions, Bayer Vietnam recognizes the vital role women play in advancing sustainable agriculture. In response to the global initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Bayer officially launched the “International Year of Woman Farmers 2026” campaign in Vietnam as part of the event. This dedicated program will focus on three core areas, beginning with the expansion of hands-on technical training to strengthen sustainable farming capabilities for 2,000 female farmers in the Central Highlands, Bayer will launch a digital video creation contest under the theme “Caring Hands – Thriving Fields” to honor and celebrate the inspiring contributions of women, while continuing to seamlessly integrate community health content into training initiatives to promote comprehensive well-being for rural families.