Sustainable Coffee Farming in Cambodia – WWF Training, Agroforestry, and Climate Resilience

Introduction: Growing Coffee Without Sacrificing the Future

As Cambodia's coffee industry expands, sustainability has moved from a nice-to-have to a necessity. Climate change, deforestation, and land degradation threaten the very foundation of coffee cultivation. But across Mondulkiri and beyond, farmers, companies, and international organizations are working together to build a coffee sector that protects the environment while producing quality beans.

WWF Cambodia's Sustainable Harvesting Training

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Cambodia recently completed a key training initiative focused on sustainable coffee harvesting for local farmers in Dak Dam commune, Sen Monorom city, Mondulkiri province. The programme, organised under WWF-Cambodia's Sustainable Consumption and Production Project, was conducted in collaboration with KOFI Company and the Mondulkiri Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

The primary objective was to significantly enhance farmers' technical knowledge and practical skills in proper harvesting methods. Participants were trained in techniques designed to minimise post-harvest losses and simultaneously boost the quality and productivity of their coffee beans. This effort is expected to provide a stronger technical foundation for farmers, directly improving their livelihoods and contributing to the long-term, sustainable development of the coffee industry within Mondulkiri.

Agroforestry: A Model for Climate-Resilient Coffee

Agroforestry – integrating trees and shrubs into coffee plantations – is emerging as a key strategy for sustainable coffee farming in Cambodia. With support from SNV through the Dutch Fund for Climate and Development, KOFI has introduced agroforestry models that provide multiple benefits.

These models offer shade for coffee plants, improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, and create additional sources of income for farmers through intercropping with fruit trees and other cash crops. The Cambodia Coffee Association delegation's visit to Vietnam's WASI and Nestlé Project also highlighted sustainable farming practices including integrated soil and water management and intercropping systems with avocado, durian, macadamia, and black pepper.

KOFI's Commitment to Sustainable Sourcing

KOFI's transformation of Cambodia's coffee sector includes a strong focus on sustainability. The company has reduced its dependence on imported beans and increased sourcing from local growers, rising from 365 farmers in 2023 to 484 in 2025. The partnership with SNV has also enhanced environmental and social standards by addressing risks associated with deforestation, biodiversity loss, and social inclusion.

Climate Resilience in Practice

Cambodian coffee farmers face significant climate challenges, including rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and more frequent droughts. In response, farmers are adopting climate-smart practices:

Water-saving irrigation technologies to cope with dry seasons

Shade trees to protect coffee plants from heat stress

Improved soil management to maintain fertility

Diverse intercropping to spread risk and generate multiple income streams

The Path Forward

Sustainable coffee farming in Cambodia is still developing, but the foundation is being built. Through certification programs, training initiatives, and innovative business models, Cambodia's coffee sector is moving toward a future where quality and sustainability go hand in hand. The collaboration between WWF, KOFI, and government departments provides a model that can be replicated across the sector, ensuring that Cambodia's coffee growth does not come at the expense of its natural heritage.