Department of Agriculture Showcases Thailand Best Coffee Beans 2024 (TCE): An Invitation to Taste and Bid

Mr. Rapeepat Chanthrasriwong, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, highlighted the importance of the Thailand Best Coffee Beans 2024 (TCE) initiative as a continuation of the royal projects initiated by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. These initiatives aim to promote coffee cultivation among farmers in highland areas, providing them with a sustainable source of income while contributing to forest preservation. The Department of Agriculture has designated coffee as a strategic crop that supports environmental conservation and generates income for farmers in limited areas, contributing to green space development.

Thailand Best Coffee Beans (TCE) operates under the theme of “Sustainable Coffee Production,” emphasizing coffee cultivation that promotes forest care, water source preservation, and biodiversity. Over the past four years, the competition has enjoyed considerable success, largely due to the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who has presented trophies to winners in various categories. This recognition has inspired farmers to enhance the quality of their coffee production.

For the 2024 edition, the Department of Agriculture appointed Miracle Brother Company, part of Big Black Box Company, to oversee the coffee bean competition and organize roadshow activities leading up to the coffee auction held on September 3-4, 2024. Following the launch event of Thailand Best Coffee Beans 2024 (TCE) on June 13, 2024, the competition included rigorous quality assessments, such as green grading and cup tasting, culminating in the announcement of winners by the Department in July 2024. The competition featured three categories for Arabica coffee beans and one for Robusta, alongside awards for farms adhering to GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) and regenerative agriculture principles.

Roadshow events were held to showcase the highest-rated coffee beans across four key regions: Coffee Fest 2024 at Impact Muang Thong Thani in the Central region, Khon Kaen Province in the Northeast, Phuket Province in the South, and Chiang Mai Province in the North. These events aimed to promote the unique flavors of this year’s top Thai coffees and invite roasters to participate in coffee tastings and auctions.

A key component of the TCE program was a seminar held on August 2, 2024, at the Chumphon Horticultural Research Center, with over 60 farmers and officials in attendance. The seminar focused on the significance of coffee varieties, propagation technology, and the use of grafting to improve quality within planting areas, helping farmers produce premium coffee beans. Esteemed speakers included Ms. Nipawan Dodsena, Agricultural Services Manager (Robusta Coffee) from Nestlé (Thailand) Ltd., and Ms. Pannaravee Daraduang, a judge for this year’s competition. The seminar encouraged the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices, highlighting soil fertility, water conservation, and biodiversity within coffee farms to enhance the ecosystem and boost farmers’ incomes. Additionally, participants engaged in group discussions to share experiences on post-harvest practices and storage techniques aimed at preserving the quality of coffee beans, supporting a production model that meets the demands of the market while promoting industry sustainability.

The second seminar took place on August 8, 2024, at Conference Room 1 of the Agricultural Research and Development Office Region 1. The event was inaugurated by the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, with participation from Mr. Veerawit Lamkasorn, head judge of this year’s Best Thai Coffee Competition, and Ms. Pannaravee Daraduang, a fellow judge. Discussions centered around the latest developments in Thai coffee production, including insights into Arabica cultivation technology presented by Ms. Siriporn Jarinthra, an agricultural scientist from the Department. The Department reiterated its commitment to promoting high-quality coffee production that aligns with market-oriented strategies, thereby ensuring the growth and sustainability of Thailand’s coffee industry.

Credit : Department of Agriculture
Link : https://www.doa.go.th/nitikan/?p=8766