INNOVATION

FNF and IEAS find Đak Lak's "Golden Key" to agricultural innovation

Đắk Lắk, the land of distinctive agricultural treasures such as coffee and durian, is standing on the cusp of deeper integration into global value chains. Turning this opportunity into reality requires more than tradition; it calls for stories of agricultural innovation that are becoming the golden key for local businesses and cooperatives to boost competitiveness and strengthen their position in the international market.

Innovation in agriculture is not merely about applying advanced technologies; it is about a comprehensive shift in mindset, from cultivation and processing to branding and marketing. To accelerate this transformation, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) Vietnam and the Institute for European and American Studies (IES) conducted a field survey in Đắk Lắk in July 2025. This initiative not only reinforces FNF’s mission of promoting a free-market economy but also provides valuable data to support Vietnam’s agricultural enterprises.

When Innovation Becomes a Game Changer

The survey in Buôn Ma Thuột City and Krông Ana District unveiled a series of inspiring innovation models. Local businesses and cooperatives are not only daring to think differently but also bold enough to transform their practices to increase product value.

• EATU Café Agricultural Cooperative has pioneered the adoption of international Fairtrade standards and Honey processing methods, enhancing both the quality and market value of coffee beans.
• FARMFOOD Co., Ltd. has taken a creative approach by using local resources such as coffee flowers to produce tea and kombucha, opening new market opportunities for regional specialties.
• Thành Đồng Company has leveraged high technology to cultivate mushrooms under solar panel rooftops – producing clean agricultural products while generating renewable energy.

In a friendly meeting with the survey team, Mr. Trần Đình Trọng, Director of EATU Café Cooperative, shared: "In the past, when coffee prices dropped sharply, our cooperative proactively shifted to producing clean coffee under FLO certification and specialty coffee processing. This not only secured output for farmers but also reinforced our product’s quality in the marketplace."

From Field Insights to Policy Recommendations

The outcomes of the survey go beyond showcasing success stories. They form the basis for concrete policy recommendations that FNF and its partner will present to local leaders to further foster an innovation-driven mindset.

According to Mr. Hoa Hữu Cường, IES representative: "These models show that innovation truly takes off when leaders dare to think differently and act boldly. We believe the recommendations in our report will inspire this spirit and drive both economic and social growth in the region."

To promote sustainable growth in the private sector, the research team proposed:

1. Expanding technological support, particularly in post-harvest processing and digitalizing production processes.
2. Developing training programs on digital skills and management for cooperatives.
3. Strengthening connections between businesses, research institutes, and cooperatives to create a network for knowledge and technology sharing.

Ms. Lê Thị Thu Trang, FNF Vietnam representative, emphasized: "Đắk Lắk’s innovative practices are enabling local agricultural products to leverage Free Trade Agreements such as the EVFTA to access global markets. This not only aligns with FNF’s mission to support the development of a market-based economy in Vietnam but also affirms that innovation is the key to enhancing competitiveness and ensuring more stable incomes for farmers."

The Đắk Lắk trip by FNF and IES was more than a survey, it was a practical step toward realizing FNF’s mission of advancing the values of economic freedom and global integration. With FNF’s support and strong partnerships, Vietnam’s agriculture is writing a new chapter, that is more modern, sustainable, and ready to assert its brand on the world stage.