Myanmar farmers swap poppy for coffee as new plant opens

Myanmar has marked a milestone in its fight against illicit crop cultivation with the inauguration of a central coffee processing plant in southern Shan State. The facility, run by the Green Gold Cooperative (GGC), symbolises a decade‑long transformation for communities once reliant on opium poppy.

The cooperative began in 2015 when 530 farmers took the bold step of replacing poppy fields with coffee plants. Today, more than 1,000 producers across 48 villages are part of GGC, which has become a regional model for sustainable development. In 2019, it became Myanmar’s first Fairtrade‑certified coffee organisation, using the social premium to fund community projects and purchase land for the new plant.

Built with international backing — Switzerland supported the first phase, while Japan financed the final stage — the facility now allows farmers to process, roast and package coffee independently. It also houses a laboratory for quality analysis and a modern space for training and innovation, reducing reliance on third parties and opening new market opportunities.

“This achievement reflects the communities’ commitment to creating real alternatives to illicit economies,” said Yatta Dakowah, UNODC Country Manager, at the inauguration. Between 2018 and 2024, GGC exported over 1,000 tonnes of green coffee, generating $5.48 million in income and earning recognition for quality and sustainability.

The launch was celebrated in September with more than 250 participants, including farmers, government officials and international partners from Finland, Italy and Japan. Finland’s Elina Korhonen praised GGC’s gender‑balanced governance, while Italy’s Nicolò Tassoni hailed the project as “a symbol of friendship” and a beacon of hope for South Shan farmers.

For members of GGC, the plant is more than infrastructure. It represents trust, cooperation and a shared vision for a future free from the vulnerabilities of the opium economy. As Myanmar remains the world’s largest producer of illicit opium, the cooperative’s success stands as a powerful example of how alternative development can deliver sustainable livelihoods and reshape rural life.

-2025-11-2