The Coffee Kingdom of Laos-- the Borofen Plateau

The mild climate, moist air and nutrient-rich volcanic soil make the land a paradise for coffee growers, and the land is considered the best place to grow coffee in Southeast Asia.

Most of the Bolaven coffee growers come from a local minority, the Luofen. The ancestors of the Luofen people were a branch of the Khmer empire that flourished in the ninth and tenth centuries. They named the area Borofen, which means the home of the Raffin people. Katu and Alak also grow coffee in this area, and they spread the harvested beans flat on the ground to dry.

Coffee farms on the Borrofen Plateau vary in size. Founded in 2001, the Local Coffee grower Conservation Organization (JCFC) began to protect the rights and interests of small growers and help them increase their income. So far, 550farmers from 12 villages have joined the organization, and by 2008, the income from coffee cultivation had reached 2 billion kip (about 1.6 million yuan), ten times that of 2004. A head of the organization said their goal is to make life better for farmers and their families. They not only teach farmers market knowledge and how to manage their farmland, but also strive to improve the quality of local coffee to ensure the reputation of local coffee. The picture shows the workers of JCFC organization.

In the past, tourists stopped to enjoy the beauty of the Borrofen plateau, but now many tourists are more inclined to explore the beauty that is inspiring. Located between 1000 and 1300 meters above sea level, the plateau is full of mysterious culture and coffee farms. Not only that, the whole plateau is separated by many rivers, so you can enjoy many refreshing waterfalls on the Borrofen Plateau. The best way is to rent a motorcycle in Basser and spend two or three days having a good time on the Borrofen Plateau. Most of the motorcycle rental shops in the city offer maps and suggestions for visiting the plateau.