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Thursday, January 16, 2025
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Recent Cold Snap Damages Coffee Plantations in Champasack

This Week

On 14 January, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Champasack Province reported significant damage to coffee plantations in Pak Song district caused by frost and fog over the past few days.

The cold snap, which affected both the crops and farmers’ livelihoods, has hit 37 families across 32.6 hectares of coffee fields. 

Among the hardest-hit areas are Houaysan village, where 13 families manage 11.7 hectares, and Setapoung Village, home to 15 families overseeing 7.6 hectares. 

Other affected villages include Nong Ya Thueng with six families and 7.3 hectares, and KM5 with three families and 6 hectares of damaged coffee crops.

In addition to these areas, a more recent survey by the Department revealed that frost and fog have extended their reach. The weather monitoring team, active between 11 to 14 January, identified further damage in Houay Set Village (20 families, 20 hectares), Kong Toun Village (9 families, 11 hectares), and Ka Touad Village (31 families, 7.8 hectares). Data collection continues as more areas report frost-related losses.

Farmers have shared their concerns that the frosty conditions are particularly severe in lowland areas, where the lack of shade trees has left crops vulnerable to the cold. This is not the first time the district has faced frost damage. According to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, previous incidents occurred between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019, leaving a long history of crop destruction.

Since the onset of the cold weather, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry has been closely monitoring the situation and advising farmers on measures to protect their crops. 

Among the strategies are creating smoke at various points in frost-prone areas, particularly low-lying or windy spots, and watering or shaking plants to help disperse fog. In addition, farmers are urged to cover their coffee plants with plastic to shield them from the chill, and to trim any damaged branches—especially those affected by more than 60 percent frost damage.

To help the plants recover, the Department also recommends applying foliar fertilizers to nourish the coffee trees and encourage healthy growth.

 

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