The challenge of managing coffee production waste

On March 3rd, the National Center for Agricultural Promotion, in cooperation with the Dak Nong Center for Agricultural Promotion and Forestry Seedling, organized a media seminar on waste management measures in coffee production.

The seminar brought together leaders from the Department of International Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, representatives from the Global Coffee Forum, and over 100 participants, including businesses, cooperatives, farmers, and community agricultural extension groups from Dak Nong Province.

Many opportunities, many challenges

During the seminar, the delegates highlighted several critical issues regarding effective measures to reduce emissions and waste in coffee production. Key concerns included the widespread use of herbicides, the increasing waste generated from pesticide packaging, and the imbalanced application of fertilizers, all of which are having a significant negative impact on the Vietnamese coffee industry.

Mr. To Viet Chau, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment), emphasized that coffee is one of Vietnam’s most important export products, contributing significantly to the country's foreign exchange earnings. The coffee industry also plays a crucial role in providing employment and increasing income for millions of farming households. However, despite its importance, the Vietnamese coffee sector is facing numerous challenges, with one of the most pressing issues being the effective management of waste during the production process.

The excessive use of herbicides due to labor shortages and rising production costs has had negative impacts on water sources, public health, and the reputation of Vietnamese coffee in international markets. The improper use of agricultural materials remains common in many localities.

"At this point, some areas in the Central Highlands in general, and Dak Nong in particular, have implemented waste collection models, but comprehensive waste treatment that meets environmental sanitation standards remains a significant challenge", Mr. Chau shared.

Regarding this issue, representatives from several farming households attending the seminar openly expressed their concerns about the disposal of waste, such as the packaging and containers of certain pesticides, which still lack proper disposal methods. This waste is a significant environmental threat, as it can easily lead to pollution, directly affecting the lives of people in the community.

According to Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Anh (a resident of Dak Wer commune, Dak R'Lap district, Dak Nong), the significant increase in coffee prices over the past two years has brought considerable improvements to the livelihoods of coffee farmers. As a result, the level of investment in coffee cultivation has also risen. However, this has led to a sharp increase in waste generated from pesticides and fertilizers. Despite this, the waste collection and disposal systems have not been sufficiently and systematically developed, leaving the local population with concerns and worries about the environmental impact.

"We hope that in the near future, authorities, government officials, and managers will pay more attention to finding fundamental solutions to collect hazardous waste from pesticides, so that farmers can produce coffee with peace of mind, protect the environment, and ultimately increase the value of the coffee in our province", Mr. Anh expressed.

Raising awareness

Coffee is a key crop in the agricultural land use structure of Dak Nong province, accounting for over 35% of the total area. It is the third-largest coffee-producing region in the country and the Central Highlands, following Dak Lak and Lam Dong provinces, with a total area of nearly 140.000 hectares and an annual production of approximately 356.000 tons.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Chung, Director of the Dak Nong Agricultural Promotion and Forestry Seedling Center, in recent years, the center has identified that to improve the quality and value of coffee, it is essential to enhance public awareness about environmentally responsible coffee production. This includes proper management and use of pesticides on crops, especially coffee.

In addition, the center has organized many forums aimed at raising awareness among producers, encouraging environmentally friendly and responsible practices. These actions include initiatives such as saying "no" to herbicides, waste collection and sorting, particularly agricultural waste. At the same time, they are promoting environmental protection and sustainable agricultural development among the younger generation still in school.

Mr. Do Thanh Chung, a representative of the Global Coffee Forum, stated that Dak Nong has many advantages in coffee production. However, for Dak Nong coffee to enter markets such as the U.S., Europe, and Japan, it must meet high-quality standards. Among these, the production environment is crucial, as it must ensure safety and environmental hygiene.

“To reduce environmental pollution caused by pesticides, it is essential that the entire community collaborates. Different levels of government, relevant sectors and local authorities must come up with effective, well-planned solutions to manage and treat hazardous waste in agriculture in a more methodical and scientific way", Mr. Chung stated.

Echoing this sentiment, many delegates underscored the importance of a unified approach when it comes to the technology used in coffee production for export, the agricultural extension practices tailored to market demand, and ensuring workplace safety along the coffee production chain. This approach should ultimately aim at adapting coffee production to climate change, meeting the standards for sustainable and safe farming practices, and improving product quality to satisfy both domestic consumption and international export markets.

On average, each year, agricultural production in Dak Nong uses about 475.000 tons of fertilizers and 620 tons of pesticides. Of this, approximately 206.000 tons of fertilizers and 270 tons of pesticides are used in coffee production. These materials have resulted in the release of tens of tons of packaging, empty bottles, and other waste into the environment, contributing to pollution of the air, water and soil.