Underlying reasons causing degeneration and shortening the economic cycle of coffee plantations in the Central Highlands

Abstract

Coffee production in the Central Highlands accounts for 90% of total area and yield in Vietnam (mainly Robusta coffee). The major constraint for coffee production industry is that currently more than 20% of total coffee growing area has been aging and declining, and bringing low economic profits. Moreover, degradation has also occurred with young coffee plantations. Studies have been conducted to indicate some main reasons for this phenomena. Among them, reasons occurring in the establishment stage to obtain lessons for new coffee establishment area include unplanned development of coffee growing area, seedling and seedling quality, planting shady trees for coffee. The remaining reasons are both subjective and objective but can be managed, including: soil and nutrition, pests and pest accumulation and care, coffee management overexploitation. Research and clarification of these reasons will help coffee growers be able to manage coffee trees in positive way, contribute to yield and quality improvement, and extend commercial period for coffee plantations.