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Simexco and RegenX: A Successful Regenerative Agriculture Journey at Ea Tan Cooperative

At the beginning of 2024, Simexco Dak Lak and RegenX initiated a transformative regenerative agriculture project at the Ea Tan Cooperative in Dak Lak, Vietnam. Today, we are proud to celebrate the pre-harvest milestone and showcase some of the tangible results from the program as well as the promising future it has created for local farmers and the environment.

Revolutionizing Coffee Farming in Dak Lak

Dak Lak, the heartland of Vietnam’s coffee industry, faced increasing pressure from soil degradation, rising input costs, and the need to adapt to climate change. Through the “Reducing Farming Costs with Microbial Fertilizer” campaign, Simexco and RegenX worked with farmers to introduce regenerative farming techniques that not only restored soil health but also reduced reliance on costly chemical fertilizers, enabling farmers to save up to 20% on input costs each year.

Farmers gain hands-on experience in composting agricultural waste into valuable resources for healthier soils, guided by RegenX’s agronomist.

Since the program’s inception, the results have been outstanding:

  • 100% of farmers who adopted the regenerative practices guided by RegenX have successfully produced and applied their own microbial compost and fish fertilizers to their farms.
  • Even amid challenging drought conditions, farmers are anticipating stable yields and have already seen improved net returns due to reduced input costs.

This shift marks a significant milestone in building a more sustainable coffee farming model in Dak Lak, one that increases both profitability for farmers and resilience against climate change.

Environmental and Economic Benefits: A Winning Combination

One of the primary goals of the project was to improve soil health while reducing the carbon footprint of agricultural practices. By replacing chemical fertilizers with natural alternatives, farmers are fostering healthier soils rich in biodiversity. This change is vital for enhancing carbon reduction and removal, which helps combat climate change by drawing CO2 from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil.

After less than six months of decomposition, the compost has transformed from a brownish mix of coffee husk, twigs, pig manure, and grass into a rich black color with a pleasant, earthy smell. (Photo taken at farmer Tran Van No’s farm)

In addition to environmental benefits, the farmers in the program have reported lower input costs, which has directly translated into higher profitability. With less dependence on chemical inputs, farmers can allocate more resources toward improving crop quality and exploring green finance opportunities, further strengthening their economic resilience.

Empowering Farmers with Digital Tools

Throughout the program, RegenX introduced farmers to its digital “farmer’s diary” app, designed to help track and optimize their cultivation processes. Farmers have given positive feedback on its ease of use, particularly praising the “point-and-shoot” feature allowing them to snap a picture of their fertilizer bag RegenX AI extracts key information such as the NPK ratios, bag volume, and brand, and simplifies farmers’ data tracking. Farmers welcomed the change, as it saves them time and effort from manually inputting data or navigating long drop-down lists.

The “point-and-shoot” function also aids in calculating carbon levels on the farm, a factor that is becoming increasingly important for buyers, traders, and exporters.

Partnerships Driving Lasting Impact

Simexco and RegenX’s collaboration has created a lasting impact on the local community and the broader agricultural value chain. By integrating regenerative practices into our supply chain, Simexco and RegenX are leading the way in decarbonizing coffee production.

This successfully regenerative journey has not only transformed the way coffee is farmed but has also strengthened relationships within the industry. By working closely with key partners and sharing insights on sustainable farming, Simexco and RegenX are joining hands to build a robust foundation for long-term agricultural innovation in Vietnam.

Looking Ahead: Scaling the Model to More Regions

With the successful completion of this program, Simexco and RegenX are looking to expand their regenerative agriculture model to more regions, both within Dak Lak and other coffee-planting areas, as well as other industrial crops. By continuing to reduce farming costs, improve soil health, and decrease carbon emissions, we believe it will pave the way for a more sustainable and profitable future for smallholder farmers.