55 Farmers in Qiongzhong Earn Barista Certifications

In a small village in Hainan’s mountainous interior, a group of farmers just unlocked a new career path—by becoming certified baristas. These aren’t city-trained café workers, but rural growers with deep roots in coffee cultivation. Their new skills are set to transform both their incomes and their communities.

55 farmers from Qiongzhong county have officially earned national (entry-level) barista certifications after a 21-day intensive training program, with plans to staff coffee shops and work in trade roles across Hainan.

Hainan’s Coffee-Growing Heartland

Qiongzhong Li and Miao Autonomous County, particularly the village of Changxing in Heping Town, has a long history of coffee farming. Back in July 2013, the local Feishui Organic Coffee Professional Cooperative was established, and by 2014, it was generating over 200,000 RMB in annual coffee sales. The region’s farmers know coffee from the tree up—but until recently, not from the cup side.

A First-of-Its-Kind Barista Training

On May 4, the Qiongzhong Employment Bureau launched the county’s first-ever national barista training program right in Changxing Village. Out of 69 enrollees from nearby districts—including Diaoluoshan, Yinggen, and Heping—the participants underwent 21 days of hands-on and theoretical instruction. The curriculum covered global coffee tasting methods, siphon brewing technique, French press preparation, and basic coffee service etiquette.

Certification Day: 55 Successful Graduates

By June 7, those 69 students had taken the official Hainan Provincial Vocational Skills Assessment (Barista). Fifty-five passed and were awarded national barista qualification certificates—an important milestone both for their personal development and for the future of coffee culture in rural Hainan.

Next Steps: From Farm to Café

With certifications in hand, these 55 farmers are being connected with job opportunities in well-known cafés and coffee trading companies in major cities like Haikou and Sanya. Some, like Huang Hui from Team 5 of Changxing Village’s fifth group, already have concrete plans: “We’re opening a ‘coffee station’ at our cooperative, and I’ll be the barista,” Huang shared. This could mark the start of more farmer-run coffee experiences rooted in local production.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Qiongzhong county located?

Qiongzhong is in Hainan Province, China, and is home to many ethnic Li and Miao farmers with a longstanding tradition of coffee growing, especially in villages like Changxing in Heping Town.

How many farmers completed the barista training?

69 farmers from Qiongzhong enrolled in the training, which took place in Changxing Village. Of those, 55 passed the final assessment and earned their certifications.

What topics were covered in the barista course?

The 21-day program included global coffee tasting, siphon operation, French press brewing, and coffee service etiquette, combining theory with practical skills.

What happens after the farmers get certified?

The 55 certified farmers are being recommended for jobs in cafés and coffee companies in cities such as Haikou and Sanya. Some plan to open their own coffee stations, like one at the Feishui Cooperative.

How long was the barista training program?

The training lasted 21 days, during which participants learned both theoretical knowledge and hands-on brewing and service skills required for entry-level barista work.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Rural Cafés

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