Introducing Mr. Tai: A Visionary Coffee Farmer Leading the Way for Vietnamese Coffee
At the heart of Vietnam's coffee industry stands Pham Khac Tai, an inspiring and visionary coffee farmer deeply connected to the fertile soils of the Central Highlands. With a childhood fascination for the "raw pearl" of coffee, Mr. Tai's journey has taken him from a career in finance to spearheading efforts that are propelling Vietnamese coffee to global recognition.
After graduating University in Saigon, Mr. Tai pursued a career in marketing and finance. For ten years, he thrived in the bustling financial world until a twist of fate guided him towards a new path in Vietnamese agriculture.
In 2015, while attending an international coffee fair, Mr. Tai was struck by the absence of Vietnamese coffee among the spotlighted samples, despite Vietnam being a leading exporter. This puzzling realisation ignited a fire within him, compelling him to reconnect with his roots and dive headfirst into the coffee industry.
In April 2017, he stumbled upon the concept of "Fine Robusta specialty coffee" - a niche market for the Robusta variety with its unique flavours and identity. This discovery served as a guiding light, leading him towards a new mission: to enhance the value of Vietnamese Robusta coffee beans, ultimately benefiting coffee farmers in his homeland.
Undeterred by challenges and scepticism, Mr. Tai founded "The Coffee Farmer," an initiative focused on improving the lives of coffee farmers while implementing sustainable environmental practices. His mission was to foster companionship, association, and cooperation among farmers, processors, and roasters - each contributing their expertise and sharing in the rewards.
The journey was not without its obstacles, demanding relentless pursuit of knowledge and tireless experimentation. Mr. Tai meticulously honed his craft, conducting countless experiments on his parents' 1-hectare garden to perfect the art of selecting ripe coffee berries and employing 100% handmade processes. The result was exceptional quality coffee, laying the groundwork for The Coffee Farmer's success.
Today, The Coffee Farmer has flourished, with two processing facilities and over 20 associated farmers in Bao Loc and Gia Lai. Orders flow in from Japan, America, the European Union, the Middle East, and now Australia - solidifying Vietnam's prominent position on the global coffee map.
Mr. Tai's viet coffee project epitomises unwavering dedication, perseverance, and a deep love for coffee. His story is one of hope, representing a promising future not only for himself and his community but also for Vietnamese coffee as a whole. The world now embraces the vision of a young coffee farmer from the mountains, who dared to dream and elevate Vietnamese coffee to new heights.
