Regional research “Agricultural innovations review in Sub-Mekong region countries” in the framework of the project “Network for Agriculture and Rural Development Think-tanks for Countries in Mekong sub-region” – November 2022 - April 2023.

Bolaven, located in the Southern part of Laos, is one of three plateaus covering the area of four provinces, Champasack, Saravan, Sekong, and Attapue. The coffee plantation in Bolaven became a primary source of income contributing to improving the livelihood of many thousand households.

Although there is a large expansion of coffee plantations, small-scale coffee farmers in Bolaven face many difficulties, namely access to the market, low bargaining power, limited value-added, use of chemicals in production, etc. These problems lead to the born of Bolaven Plateaus Coffee Producer Cooperative (known as CPC). From its first establishment until the present, CPC has become a role model for other production groups and cooperatives in several aspects such as organization management, value creation of products, and friendly production to the environment and community.

The achievement of Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producer Cooperative (CPC) can be found in many aspects. Inclusive development is recognized as a strong point of CPC. In addtition, Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producer Cooperative pays careful attention to every process of production to ensure the quality of coffee. CPC provides its members with technical assistance in all aspects of production, selecting seeds, planting, taking care of, utilizing organic fertilizer, and harvesting.

Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producer Cooperative always cares about sustainable production. Farmers are supported to produce organic coffee. Presently, the area of organic coffee production covers more than 4,000 hectares. Production with organic inputs is not only friendly to the environment and farmers’ health, but it is also an effective way to make CPC products worth a higher price.

The achievement of the CPC confirms that production cooperatives can raise the bargaining power of farmers and improve their living livelihood.

Click this link for detail information: Bolaven Plateau Coffee Producers Cooperative model in Lao PDR