Farmers grow and thrive when their land is in good condition

Nourishing crops

1 min

From the ground up

Soil is literally the foundation for great coffee. The results may vary depending on the local conditions, but its health can be improved by planting shade-giving trees on farms, tailoring fertiliser, increasing soil cover and reducing erosion. Farmer Dương Thanh Sâm knows this. “If soil is disturbed, polluted or not cared for, then plants find it difficult to survive,” he says. Sâm is a regular at our NESCAFÉ® training sessions, learning regenerative agricultural practices and techniques that help him improve his soil health and productivity. “These sessions are extremely practical,” he affirms.

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Dương Thanh Sâm explains the benefits of healthy soil

1 min

Understanding soil health in farming systems

Depleted soil can prevent plants from nourishing their stems and make them susceptible to pest attacks. “Coffee trees need certain conditions to grow well,” explains Sâm. “These include having healthy soil with adequate nutrients and moisture.” It’s all about getting the balance right, and if this is achieved, then productivity can improve. “The healthier the soil, the better the chance of a stronger coffee yield,” he says. This also helps farmers to cut down on the number of required resources.

Sharing knowledge

When it comes to the knowledge and skills he has acquired, Sâm plans to pay it forward. “I will educate the next generation on the importance of building a solid foundation from the very beginning,” he mentions. “And that foundation is healthy soil.” He’s very positive about what tomorrow holds. “I am grateful. Growing coffee binds me closer to this land,” he smiles. “It makes me feel optimistic about the future of the farm, my family and the community.”

FAQ

What is regenerative agriculture?

In line with the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform, NESCAFÉ^® defines “regenerative agriculture” as an approach to farming which aims, through practice adoption, to conserve and restore natural resources, primarily soil, as well as water and biodiversity, while capturing carbon in soils and plant biomass, and to support farmers’ livelihoods. Key practices promoted under the NESCAFÉ^® Plan include efficient water use and optimised use of inputs.

Learn more: NESCAFÉ^® Plan 2030 Progress Report 2025