Yunnan: A place where coffee takes over

Yunnan, a province in southwestern China with a landscape encompassed with snow filled mountains, lakes, gorges and rice terraces is making headlines because of coffee. Earlier in the days, this little province of minorities only grew tea. Though they made an average earning out of it, a better and more effective way for them to increase their ROI and standard of living was to invest time and money in growing coffee beans.

Today, Yunnan houses over 5,000 coffee trees per hectare and things have taken a positive turn for all the people in the province. Not only is it easy to grow and maintain but the demand for these beans are extremely high and the yield is just as effective.

With the help of Hu, a farmer’s son, the province has managed to yield great results and income. He is a certified technician of agriculture and also a tea taster. With the help of his technical support on soil maintenance and balance, basic plantation and maintenance in general allowed him to co-operate with a company for growing coffee in his home place. He made an initiative with many villagers and farmers wherein he would rent out certain space to grow the beans. He would also provide them with seeds and fertilizers to ensure the best quality would be used. He also ensured all of the farmers associated with the project were trained to ensure nothing but the best quality for the seedlings.

Though growing coffee is relatively new in China, today it is one of the major exporters of it. Fujian, Yunnan and Hainan Island are some the major producers and exporters of coffee beans out of which Hainan island and Fujian account for at least 5% of the production of these beans. They’re mainly known for growing Robusta.  Yunnan province however, accounts for producing Arabica plants that accounts for dominating the rest of the market as it shares borders with Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos. Not only does this expand diversity but also demand.

Today, large parts of Asia depend on this province for a good brew of coffee and thanks to Hu and his initiative; this little province has done wonders to develop.