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After a season of implementing smart coffee cultivation practices, demonstration farms in Đắk Hà commune, Quảng Ngãi province, recorded a 40.5% reduction in fruit drop, a 33% increase in the number of reserve nodes per branch, an expected 10.7% rise in green bean yield, and a 19.4% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of green coffee compared to traditional farms. These results were announced at a review seminar organised on 22 October 2026 by Binh Dien Fertiliser Joint Stock Company in collaboration with the Quảng Ngãi Provincial Agricultural Extension Centre and the Centre for Research and Development of Pepper (WASI), with the participation of many local coffee growers.

From Two Trials to 48 Scaled-Up Models

The Smart Coffee Cultivation Programme, initiated by Binh Dien Fertiliser Joint Stock Company (Dau Trau brand) and implemented in cooperation with the National Agricultural Extension Centre, WASI, and provincial extension centres, responds to the dual challenges facing the coffee sector: soil degradation after years of intensive farming and increasing market demands for quality and lower emissions. After two pilot seasons to develop and refine the process, 2026 saw the programme expand to 16 clusters with 48 models in key coffee-growing regions. Each model included a control plot, soil analysis, a tailored fertilisation regime, and periodic monitoring of plant growth, fruit drop, pests, yield, economic efficiency, and greenhouse gas emissions, all overseen by a technical advisory panel. The Đắk Hà cluster was among these.

Acidic Soils, Heavy Fertilisation, Low Efficiency

The Đắk Hà model was implemented on 3 hectares across three households in Hamlet 3: one five-year-old dwarf mango-leaved coffee plot, one four-year-old robusta plot, and one 15-year-old TRS1 plot. The average yield over the previous three harvests was only 2.8–2.9 tonnes of green coffee per hectare. Each farm had a control plot using the farmer’s usual fertiliser regime, under identical soil, variety, and tree age conditions, to compare with the smart cultivation regime.

Pre-season soil analysis revealed very acidic topsoil, with an average pH_KCl of 4.19 and some plots as low as 3.6; available calcium, magnesium, and boron were all low. Meanwhile, farmers continued to apply high rates of conventional phosphorus and NPK fertilisers—some exceeding 1 tonne of phosphate per hectare annually—leading to phosphorus accumulation, blocked zinc uptake, and reduced fertiliser efficiency. Acidic soils and insufficient calcium and magnesium impaired fine root development, weakened fruit stalks, and made trees prone to fruit drop: fertiliser costs rose but yields did not increase proportionately.

Soil Remediation First, Targeted Feeding Throughout the Season

The smart coffee cultivation process is based on soil analysis for each farm, applying the right nutrients at the right time. At the start of the rainy season, demonstration plots received Dau Trau organic fertiliser for root health and Dau Trau Balanced Soil Western Highlands to reduce acidity and supplement calcium, magnesium, and trace elements, restoring the roots. Macronutrients were split into four applications using specialised Dau Trau NPK formulas for dry season, growth, and bean filling, tailored to each stage: post-harvest recovery, branch and fruit development, and dry matter accumulation. Compared to traditional practice, phosphorus application was cut by about 45%, nitrogen by about 13%, while 108 kg calcium and 36 kg magnesium per hectare were added.

“Smart” from Soil Analysis to Orchard Management

According to Dr. Phạm Công Trí, member of the Scientific Council of Binh Dien Fertiliser Joint Stock Company and the Smart Coffee Cultivation Programme advisory panel, the “smart” element lies not in a single fertiliser but in the holistic management of the orchard. First, soil samples are analysed to accurately assess the soil’s condition and adjust fertiliser type and amount for each plot, instead of following habit. Dau Trau fertilisers contain beneficial microorganisms; combined with organic application and soil pH adjustment, this improves fertiliser efficiency and soil health.

On farm, the model keeps ground cover for moisture retention, reduces erosion, and returns organic matter to the soil; shade trees are recommended to moderate the microclimate. Pest and disease management follows an integrated approach, prioritising natural enemies and minimising chemicals, protecting the environment. Efficient irrigation cuts water and energy use, and together with reduced nitrogen fertiliser rates, this is a key factor in cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

Healthier Trees, Better Fruit Retention

Data from the Quảng Ngãi Agricultural Extension Centre and the Centre for Research and Development of Pepper, monitoring fixed sample trees, show the most marked difference in fruit retention: the model plots had a fruit drop rate of 9.63%, compared to 16.20% in controls—a reduction of 40.5%. Timely calcium, boron, and potassium application strengthened fruit stalks, limiting physiological drop during rapid fruit growth and bean filling. Reserve nodes per branch reached 8.71 in the model, 33% higher than 6.56 in the control. The model plots also saw lower pest and disease levels thanks to healthier trees and restored root systems.

Higher Yields, Increased Profit, Lower Emissions

The expected green bean yield in the model plots averaged 3.1 tonnes per hectare, 0.3 tonnes (10.7%) higher than the control; the 15-year-old plot showed the largest increase at 13.5%, indicating the process works well even on older, depleted land. With yield up and fertiliser costs unchanged, projected profit averaged VND 208.1 million per hectare, about VND 14 million (7.3%) higher than the control. Greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of green coffee were down 19.4%, ranging from 5.8–29.2% depending on the plot; the more nitrogen applied in the control, the greater the reduction. Yield, profit, and emissions are estimated on sample trees and will be confirmed at final harvest.

Scientists at the seminar noted that the initial yield increase, while positive, was not dramatic, as coffee yields depend on branches formed in the previous season, so this year’s yield still reflects previous practices. Importantly, reserve branches in the model show vigorous development—dense nodes, short internodes, thick green leaves—laying the groundwork for a marked yield increase next season if the process is maintained.

Mr. Đào Công Quyết (Hamlet 3, Đắk Hà commune) shared: “Previously, I applied a lot of fertiliser but still had fruit drop and yellowing leaves. This year, following the process, I used organic and Balanced Soil fertiliser to improve the soil first, then applied specialist coffee fertilisers in stages—the trees put out strong branches, thick green leaves, and retained fruit much better than the control. Yield is only up a little this year, but seeing the reserve branches, I believe next season will be different.”

Responding to why a fertiliser company would invest in a whole cultivation programme, Mr. Hồ Thế Huy, Head of R&D at Binh Dien Fertiliser Joint Stock Company, explained: “Binh Dien does not simply supply quality fertilisers tailored to each crop and soil, but is always concerned with helping farmers cultivate more efficiently. Our aim is to share an integrated cultivation solution—from soil analysis and improvement to stage-specific fertilisation. That’s why we partnered with the National Agricultural Extension Centre and WASI to run the model right on farmers’ fields, with controls and scientific oversight, so they can see and compare for themselves. The results at Đắk Hà today show this is the right approach, and it forms the basis for us and the agricultural extension system to continue refining and expanding the process to more coffee areas.”

Spreading the Model Further

The results in Dak Ha go beyond a single seminar. Each cluster model, including Đắk Hà, will become a team in the “Farmers’ Talent Contest” 2027 as part of the 10th Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival, comprising demonstration farmers, neighbouring growers, and extension officers. The advisory panel will assess each model based on yield, emissions reduction, technical improvement, and the potential for wider adoption. Through knowledge rounds, games, and real stories from demonstration farmers on television and digital platforms, technical advances will reach growers in an accessible way.

Building on these results, Binh Dien will continue working with the National Agricultural Extension Centre, provincial extension centres, and WASI to expand the programme: disseminating successful models through seminars, on-farm training, and media; linking every part of the coffee supply chain from inputs, extension, cooperatives, and smallholders to processors and exporters, towards high-quality, traceable, low-emission supply regions; and continuing in-depth trials by soil, variety, age, intercropping, and irrigation, to tailor the process to each region and meet market demands for quality and emission reduction.