HÀ NỘI — Nestlé Vietnam’s NESCAFÉ Plan programme received the prestigious 'Award of the Year' at the 2024 Human Act Prize. This honour recognises Nestlé’s ongoing commitment to sustainable coffee farming, benefiting both farmers and the environment while enhancing the global standing of Vietnamese coffee beans.

The Human Act Prize, presented annually by Nhân dân (People) Newspaper, celebrates individuals and organisations making significant societal contributions.

NESCAFÉ Plan stood out among 128 projects in the preliminary round and 32 finalists, earning recognition for its long-term impact on the community and environment. The award highlights NESCAFÉ Plan’s transformative work in regenerative agriculture, which has improved the livelihoods of farmers and contributed to the sustainable growth of the Vietnamese coffee industry.

The programme focuses on empowering farmers by teaching sustainable coffee cultivation methods, helping them manage resources effectively and fostering the adoption of regenerative practices. Over 13 years, NESCAFÉ Plan has trained farmers in sustainable techniques, equipped them with digital tools for better management and supported the empowerment of women in agriculture. As a result, participating farmers have seen income increases of 30 to 100 per cent.

Lê Quốc Minh, Editor-in-Chief of Nhân dân Newspaper, praised NESCAFÉ Plan’s impact: “More than 10 years ago, farmers struggled with withered coffee fields, while Việt Nam was the second-largest coffee exporter in the world. The regeneration model has completely changed that paradox, turning Việt Nam’s coffee into the world’s best Robusta.”

Since its launch in 2011, NESCAFÉ Plan has worked directly with farmers, providing them with resources and knowledge to improve both their livelihoods and the quality of their coffee. The programme’s agricultural staff have helped farmers every step of the way, ensuring that changes in farming methods are practical and effective. By helping farmers adopt sustainable practices, NESCAFÉ Plan has contributed to making Việt Nam a global leader in Robusta coffee production.

Khuất Quang Hưng, Director of External Affairs and Communications at Nestlé Vietnam, said: “We aim to help farmers cope with climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve their livelihoods. NESCAFÉ Plan is expanding through 2030 and beyond, with a focus on regenerative agriculture and sustainability.”

NESCAFÉ Plan’s success is clear: it has supported 21,000 farmers, distributed 86 million high-quality seedlings and helped replant 86,000 hectares of old coffee trees. The programme has reduced water use by 40-60 per cent, and chemical pesticide and fertiliser use by 20 per cent. Through these efforts, Nestlé Vietnam has made a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the coffee industry, recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other organisations.

With its global reach and local impact, NESCAFÉ Plan continues to drive positive change for farmers, the environment and the Vietnamese coffee industry. — VNS