Since early October, farmers in Đắk Song District have started harvesting their 2011 Arabica (cà phê chè) crop. Because of frequent rains this season, most growers are choosing to pick and sell the fresh cherries right on site.
Ms. Thái Thị Lý, who owns 1,500 Arabica trees in Hamlet 4 of Nâm N’jang Commune, said this year’s harvest came about two weeks earlier than last year. With the heavy rains and no drying facilities, her family must sell the fresh cherries immediately after picking at a price of 7,800 VND per kilogram—roughly 2,000 VND higher than last year.
Đắk N’Drung Commune has the largest Arabica-growing area in Đắk Song, with more than 200 hectares concentrated mainly in the hamlets of Đắk Tiên, Đắk Kual 2 and Đắk Kual 3. According to Mr. Điểu G’rơn, Chairman of the Đắk N’Drung People’s Committee, Arabica accounts for about 30 percent of the commune’s total coffee acreage. Because Arabica matures roughly one month earlier than Robusta, this early season makes it easier for growers to hire laborers, as the workforce is still plentiful.
By the end of October, the Arabica harvest in the district is expected to be completed, after which farmers will move on to harvesting the Robusta crop for the 2011 season.