By implementing intercropping, discover how we're empowering coffee farmers like Dương Thanh Sâm to create a diverse income, keep soil healthy to help increasing his yield, and introduce greater biodiversity.​

Intercropping: Enhancing Coffee Farming through Diverse Crop Cultivation​

1 min

In Vietnam, we’re empowering farmers with knowledge. By advising them on intercropping – the practice of growing two or more crops in close proximity – they are able to diversify income and increase total income. The right crop selection can increase some farmer’s earning potential as well as improve soil health, while reducing soil erosion and better controlling weeds.​

​Local farmer, Dương Thanh Sâm, attended our training sessions to master this method. After introducing pepper and durian trees, he enhanced his income while keeping the same great quality of his coffee.

By assisting farmers with innovative practices like intercropping we’re strengthening mutually beneficial collaborations. The quality of our coffee relies heavily on the expertise and dedication of the farmers who contribute to its production. We share insights not just to grow more crops. We do it to grow the skills and help their livelihoods linked to their land.

Back to working with nature

Intercropping
Bananas

Implementing regenerative farming practices like crop rotation in coffee farming can lead to increased yields, disease resistance, healthier soils, and reduced erosion.1

Thriving together

Intercropping stands as one of multiple ways to implement regenerative coffee farming; where diverse crops coexist harmoniously in shared fields and biodiversity. Through this approach, farmers help in enriching soil, making it easier to control pests, and fortifying crop resilience.​

Why intercropping?

Farmers intercrop for diverse benefits: crop resilience, enhancing soil water holding capacity, soil fertility, income, and more.​2
intercropping benefits

What does Intercropping mean to us?

In vibrant Vietnam, intercropping echoes our pledge to regenerative agriculture practices. Embracing diverse crops, we empower farmers to have more diversified and resilient income and fostering biodiversity. Through our collaboration with farmers and communities, we aim to produce quality coffee while helping Vietnamese farmers protect the country's rich biodiversity. Join us in this journey!​
intercropping practices
NESCAFÉ® sustainability

Explore more articles on …

  1. The Nestle Agriculture Framework:https://www.nestle.com/sites/default/files/2022-07/nestle-agriculture-framework.pdf
  2. Benefits and Risks of Intercropping for Crop Resilience and Pest Management:https://academic.oup.com/jee/article/115/5/1350/6572575