Using their own resources and initiative, the farmers of Doi Chang Village have established an Academy to aid the farmers in their abilities as cultivators and processors of a world-class Arabica coffee. Located adjacent to the main processing facility, the theme of the Academy is education, environment and the creation of wealth. In order to maintain strict quality control, the farmers are being educated not only on how to process their beans in the new facilities but are also receiving education regarding plant selection, harvesting techniques and expense and money management.
The farmers are also being further educated on the benefits of cultivating their coffee under the canopy of shade trees. This allows coffee cultivation to expand without any negative impact on the environment. With clear-cut sections from past crop productions now being filled with a variety of fruit and nut trees, bushes and plants, coffee cultivation will expand within the natural setting and continue to receive the benefits of growing under the protection of a canopy of trees. The shade, combined with the high altitudes, slows the bean’s growth allowing the natural sugars to concentrate, providing a more intensely flavored bean. Along with increased productivity, the cultivation methods will continue to provide sustainable agriculture as the canopy allows for the cultivation of various crops which not only provide food, but are also sold to help to support and diversify the community’s economy.
So far over 500 hundred farmers have been educated at the Academy and the benefit is already reflected in improved productivity. Due to this success, Doi Chaang Coffee has constructed a more substantial facility, including accommodations for the student farmers who are now eager to attend after witnessing the increased productivity of their neighbours. The facility has 57 pillars, representing the number of Akha families living in the Doi Chaang region, making it the largest Akha house in the world.
As with all their other facilities, the Academy is being built solely from the profits made from their coffee company. All the farmers from the Doi Chang area are invited to attend the academy free of charge. With the goal of providing education on all aspects of cultivation and processing, “Doi Chaang Academy of Coffee” is investing in both its people and the future of Doi Chaang Coffee. The growers are rightfully proud of their success and strive to improve the superior quality of their coffee and meet ever-increasing demand for Doi Chaang Coffee.