A study sponsored by Nestle found farmers using more than 60 per cent of the water needed for irrigation on average in the dry season from December to April. -— VNS file photo.

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — Nestle Group and its partners have developed a project to improve irrigation efficiency in coffee cultivation in five Central Highlands provinces.

Funded by the Swiss company and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and carried out in collaboration with EDE Consulting Company of Germany, the International Water Management Institute, and other partners, the 2 million euro (US$2.24 million), five-year "More coffee with less water – towards a reduction of the blue water footprint in coffee production" project is also aimed at resolving water shortages caused also by natural disasters and climate change.

It will help farmers improve water management and set up an early warning meteorological system to help them optimise management of their coffee plantations.

Around 50,000 coffee farmers in Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, and Lam Dong Provinces will be trained in applying good agricultural practices (GAP) and efficient use of water.

The project will provide inputs to authorities drafting water management policies.

This year it will train 30 trainers and 2,000 farmers and begin six pilot projects in each province in sustainable coffee farming and efficient water management.

Viet Nam is the second largest coffee exporter in the world. Coffee is mainly grown in the Central Highlands, where agriculture consumes 96 per cent of all the water.

But because of climate change and over-exploitation and excessive use, water is becoming increasingly scarce for farmers, households and the coffee sector.

A study sponsored by Nestle found farmers using more than 60 per cent of the water needed for irrigation on average in the dry season from December to April.

Do Thanh Chung, country director (Viet Nam) for EDE Consulting Company, said the project hopes to help raise awareness and understanding of water usage in coffee production. — VNS