Siu Pop is recognized as one of the most successful farmers in Ia Ka commune, Chu Pah district, Gia Lai province. (Photo: VOV5/Ngoc Anh)

After graduating from high school, Siu Pop followed his family’s trade – coffee farming. He also buys coffee beans from his neighbors to resell to coffee agents across Gia Lai province. This dual approach has expanded his family’s business, Siu Pop said.

 “I’ve been growing coffee for more than 20 years. I haven’t established a formal business, it’s just a family-based enterprise. Each year, we harvest one coffee crop and handle about 100 tons of coffee beans from our farm and purchased from others. A hectare of coffee can generate about 11,000 USD in profit.”

Siu Pop employs 4 to 6 full-time workers and up to 10 seasonal workers.

“The work includes watering the coffee plants, spraying pesticide, and harvesting the coffee. I work from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. five days a week, and earn about 280 USD per month. I also receive a meal allowance and bonuses for the Lunar New Year and other holidays,” said Siu Nghiem, one of Siu Pop’s employees.

In addition to growing and trading coffee, Siu Pop also trades in fertilizers and livestock feed. He plans to set up a store for these products.

“My family sells fertilizers and livestock feed, which we purchase from wholesalers and resell to locals. Sustainable coffee farming, in my 20 years of experience, requires a mix of organic and chemical fertilizers—about 600 kilograms per hectare. I plan to build a storage facility and open a shop to sell fertilizers and animal feed,” Siu Pop said.

Workers dry coffee in the yard in front of Siu Pop’s house. (Photo: VOV5/ Ngoc Anh)

Beyond his business ventures, Siu Pop is also involved in social work, helping many of his neighbors improve their livelihoods.

“In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Siu Pop is also a prestigious figure in our village. He generously donates to charity and lends money interest-free to poor households. Siu Pop gives advice on how to care for coffee plants and the best time to fertilize. He also counsels former prisoners and other misguided individuals on turning their life around,” a neighbor named Ro Cham Tho said.

Once poor himself, through creativity and determination Siu Pop has built a thriving business. He is recognized as one of the most successful farmers in the area and has been awarded the title of Outstanding Farmer in Chu Pah district.