In early October, International Coffee Day will be held worldwide and in Laos for the third time. This year, two events will take place in Luang Prabang at the Heuan Chan heritage house (Monday to Wednesday) and at Vientiane Center (9th to 11th).
Co-organized by Lao Coffee Lovers, a group that brings together coffee lovers from the public, private and development sectors, and the Strengthening and Expanding the Coffee Industry in Laos (RECoSeL) project, Funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), ICD's main goal is to recognize and promote Lao coffee with farmers, processors, roasters, baristas (...) participating in it. this dynamic field.
Laos is emerging on the international stage as a coffee-producing country, with a growing area of about 70,000 hectares, mainly located in the Bolaven plateau in the south, where coffee was introduced by French settlers. In the early 1920s. More recently, coffee was grown in the Northern Province as an alternative to unsustainable agriculture and trade, even opium.
Production was largely secured by small manufacturers' holdings and to a lesser extent by larger private estates.
Laos is still not well known about the origin of its coffee, which will be an advantage in the current context when consumer trends are developing in a more foreign direction. Indeed, Laos cannot compete with its neighbors Vietnam or Indonesia in terms of volume, because the conditions or production systems are not suitable for large quantities of medium to low quality coffee, which This further disadvantages Lao coffee farmers and most stakeholders. to unexpected problems related to international mass markets. Therefore, Laos' advantage will be to act as a small agent "doing things differently", aiming to achieve greater economic, social and environmental benefits for the development of small producers through through producing and trading quality coffee.
This is when promotion plays an important role and contributes to bringing national production to quality and value through higher prices. To do this, we strive to achieve recognized certifications in appropriate export markets to ensure viable income, professionalize value chain actors and promote operations socio-economic and environmental sustainability.
Developing consumer content is also part of the plan to enhance the value of coffee products, contributing to building a number of activity chains and creating new working facilities. Lao coffee lovers act in this direction, with the vision of stimulating the formation of Lao Coffee Culture among the people and through the mobilization/cooperation of various stakeholders. The younger generations are especially exposed and involved.
International Coffee Days are organized within this technology with the aim of enhancing the goal of the public understanding coffee in all aspects, from product to consumption. This celebration is also an opportunity to promote ethical and sustainable practices in the Lao coffee industry in an effort to better contribute to development goals such as poverty reduction, proper management of natural resources and sustainable development. Economic development is a local asset or potential.
Besides some general information about coffee growing and processing, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in various presentations or demonstrations by coffee experts, including some getting started with making Try coffee to learn how to determine the flavor, taste structure of coffee or for example to know the different tools or brewing methods for preparing coffee.
In Luang Prabang there will be consultation with a number of key development partners working in the Northern region, where local coffee networks and identities are taking shape. In Vientiane, many actors from the industry's bottom lines (coffee roasters, baristas) will participate and ensure a vibrant event.
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