6 DOI PAKGUD COFFEE FARM Thailand 2023

Background of uncle Chartchai Kabu’s Doi Pak Kud coffee farm

I am originally from Ban Air Goh, Tambon Tham Lod, Amphoe Pang Mapha, Mae Hong Son province and moved to Ban Doi Pak Kud under the Model Farm Royal Initiative Project of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother in 2011. I worked with the local Royal Project officers and land development officers to prepare the land in ladders for coffee terrace farming and to grow vetiver grass along the ladder.

In 2011, I planted around 1,500 Catimor, Arabica and bourbon sprouts, but only 500 of them survived while another 1,000 were all dead.

In 2012, I got around 200 Tribeca coffee sprouts from the District and Provincial Agricultural Offices. Since then, I have cultivated my own sprouts too and grown up to 2,000 Tribeca in 2013. In total, I propagate up to 1,000 – 2,000 coffee trees a year.

Currently, I have around 3,000 coffee trees, which already produced and another 3,000 – 4,000 that are still waiting for the harvest.

What differentiates my farm from others is how I preserve the environment and nature of the forest at their best without cutting any shade trees to give shadows for my coffee. My cultivation is organic, and it takes over 4 years until the harvest time.

Currently, my coffee trees are 10 years old. In 2013, I will start to build poles with supports from the Royal Project staff who also provide me with guidance. I am processing a request of organic certification for my coffee at the moment.