The coffee harvest season is also a time when farmers must match wits and strength with coffee thieves. After gathering opinions from local farmers, Y5cafe received suggestions from Mr. DVN in Đồng Nai proposing the following methods:
Shaking Trees to Scare Off Thieves
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For generations, farmers have used straw scarecrows to keep birds away. A similar idea can be used to deter thieves. Secretly place life-size human figures disguised carefully in different spots throughout the coffee field, posing as if someone is watching. Tie a string to a branch so it moves slightly in the wind, making the “figure” seem to move. This works best at night—be sure to hide them during the day.
Playing on Fear of Ghosts
Many thieves are superstitious. At night, set up a dummy with a pale white face and long, loose hair, tying some hair to the top of a tree so it sways in the breeze. In the early morning remove it. Sprinkle a little pig’s blood on the ground to create the impression of human blood and heighten the fear factor.
Australian-Style Disguise
– When patrolling the plantation, dress in military or police-style clothing and carry a toy gun in a holster if possible. Wander casually around suspicious areas and give suspected thieves a sharp, investigative look. If anyone is watching, lure them toward your field. Knowing that “police” or “soldiers” are guarding the area will drive them away.
– Collect old electrical wire and string it loosely around the plantation to give the impression of live wiring. Hang a warning sign such as “Beware: Electric Shock.” This is only for show and is especially effective during the daytime.
Ideas from the Y5cafe Community
Mr. Vietnam’s Idea
A friend of mine suffered frequent coffee theft. He collected many empty condensed-milk cans, each with a stone inside, and strung them across the field from tree to tree with cord. Day and night, the cans clanged and rattled. After he set this up, thieves stopped stealing from his field. In the middle of the night he would pull the cord to make the cans clatter loudly, frightening thieves away.
Mr. Robusta’s Idea
Our most effective strategy is community cooperation. In our coffee-growing area, during harvest season we form a watch group. Depending on the size of each household’s field, each family sends one or two people armed with a stick. We publicly post notices on all paths stating that anyone who is not a local coffee farmer may not enter from 6:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Watch members patrol in shifts. If they see a stranger at night, they approach immediately to question them. If the person claims to work for a farmer, they are escorted to the farmer’s house for verification. If they are merely passing through, we check for bags or weapons. If they are harmless, we guide them out of the area. This method has helped us identify thieves and keep them away. Only potential insiders remain a concern, and we monitor and warn them early.
These suggestions aim to help coffee farmers protect their harvest. Good luck to all growers in keeping the “cà tặc” at bay.