Coffee Aroma - Women's Handprints: Celebrating the Role of Women in Agriculture and Community Development.

Following the launch of the program "Sustainable Women Coffee Ambassador" in the Central Highlands at the beginning of 2025, Bayer Vietnam, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Extension Center, Dak Lak Agricultural Extension Center, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Better Life Farming project, organized a workshop titled "Coffee Aroma - Women's Handprints" at the coffee gardens in Hiep Hung Commune, Dak Lak Province. This event took place on October 14, 2025, in celebration of Vietnam Women's Day on October 20. Attracting nearly 200 attendees, the workshop included female coffee farmers, representatives from various government bodies, and key partners involved in the coffee value chain, all contributing to the sustainable development of the coffee industry in the Central Highlands and neighboring provinces.

The event was also graced by Miss Bảo Ngọc, Miss Intercontinental 2022 and Miss World Vietnam 2024, who is the representative of Vietnam participating in Miss World for the 73rd time. She is the founder of the Gen Zero program - Youth for Sustainable Development. Her participation aimed not only to encourage women's involvement in sustainable agriculture but also to promote the message of holistic health care, striving for a better life for female farmers. "Empowered women are crucial in sustainable agriculture; we need to nurture not only the land but also the potential and health of women farmers," Bảo Ngọc stated. 

The workshop aimed to summarize the activities of the Coffee Ambassador Club over the recent period, provide an overview of the models and activities implemented, and organize practical visits to coffee gardens to share experiences in sustainable farming. Participants had the opportunity to learn and exchange comprehensive crop management solutions for coffee, how to restore coffee gardens affected by diseases due to climate change—which is a significant issue currently—and agricultural practices that meet export standards for various international markets.

The report recorded from the models where female coffee ambassadors directly implement sustainable farming solutions demonstrates remarkable improvements across various specific indicators. These include enhanced plant growth, healthier trees, longer branch lengths, lower rates of dead branches, improved fruit retention rates, and increased lengths of reserve branches. These advancements not only boost the potential for current and future fruitful seasons but also significantly enhance economic efficiency, with increases of 10-15% compared to traditional farming methods.

Attendees also had the opportunity to delve deeper into the five golden principles and the "4 Rights" (right product, right time, right dosage, right application) in farming to ensure that they use plant protection products safely and effectively. Moreover, female farmers gained knowledge about health care, particularly concerning issues of community interest.

At the event, Mr. Dinh Van Dang, Director of the Agricultural Extension Center of Dak Lak Province, emphasized the importance of expanding collaboration with key partners in vital crops across provinces. He also highlighted the critical role of building capacity for farmers, particularly regarding inclusivity and gender. "We are delighted to see the Sustainable Women Coffee Ambassador Club launched and operating effectively, bringing essential benefits to the farming community. Our goal is to empower each farming household with agricultural knowledge and build strong families, thereby enhancing farmers' livelihoods and agricultural productivity, contributing to rural development and sustainable community growth," he passionately expressed.

Kg Krishnamurthy, Country Commercial Lead of Crop Science Vietnam, shared his thoughts on the importance of sustainable practices and gender equality in agriculture, stating, "Empowering women in agriculture is crucial not only for the families they support but also for the resilience of entire farming communities. By providing women with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed, we contribute to a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural sector."

From the perspective of female farmer Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who has actively participated in the Sustainable Women Coffee Ambassador project and attended various training sessions so far, her experience has been transformative. "Since joining this project, I have gained invaluable insights and techniques that have improved my farming methods and boosted my confidence in managing my coffee gardens," she shared. "The training sessions have equipped me with technical skills and useful knowledge not only about effective farming but also about healthcare." She also emphasized that the program provides opportunities for sharing experiences within the community, connecting various partners to enhance experiences and bring joy to her daily farming work.

Vietnam's coffee industry is experiencing significant growth in 2025, with export revenues in just the first seven months already surpassing all previous records. The coffee sector is on track to hit a historic milestone of $8 billion, reaffirming Vietnam's position as a global coffee powerhouse. According to the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (VICOFA), around 1.1 million tons of coffee valued at $6 billion have been exported from January to July 2025. This marks a 7.4% increase in volume and an extraordinary 65% increase in value compared to the same period last year, far exceeding the previous annual record of $5.62 billion set in 2024.

With key markets including Europe, the United States, China, and Japan, etc. the demand and standards are becoming more diverse than ever. Supporting farmers, particularly women farmers, is essential to driving the economy and ensuring that Vietnamese coffee remains resilient and continues to expand on the international stage.

The success of this program not only provided valuable knowledge and skills to the participants but also contributed to building a sense of community, collaboration, and shared goals among all stakeholders. The event served as a vital reminder of the indispensable role women play in agriculture and the potential they hold to shape a sustainable future for Vietnam's coffee industry.