Officials in Vietnam have approved a significant investment to establish a new coffee research and development institute in Gia Lai province, a key agricultural region in the country's Central Highlands. According to state media reports, the project has a budget of 326 billion VND, equivalent to approximately US$12.4 million. The facility is scheduled to begin official operations in the fourth quarter of 2028.
The new center, named the AI Coffee Research and Development Institute, will focus on integrating advanced technology into the country's coffee sector. Its mandate includes conducting coffee variety trials, improving seedling production, and providing sample analysis services. A key component of the project will be the use of artificial intelligence for applications such as monitoring pests and diseases, which could help improve crop yields and sustainability.
This investment signals a strategic push by Vietnam, the world's largest producer of robusta coffee, to modernize its production capabilities. By leveraging AI and data-driven agriculture, the initiative aims to enhance efficiency and quality throughout the supply chain. The institute will also offer training programs for local farmers and coffee-related businesses, seeking to bolster the sector's competitiveness on the global market.