In some plantations in Dak Nong Province, the atmosphere is not as busy as it was in previous harvesting seasons. Local farmers said that the sharp decrease in coffee prices have affected their activities. They are facing difficulties in finding workers to help pick the ripe coffee cherries.

Quang and his wife arrived from the central province of Quang Ngai a month ago to seek work on coffee plantations in Dak Nong.

Quang said that they are paid VND1,000-1,200 (USD 0.04-0.05) for a kilo of ripe coffee cherries. If they work from 7 am to 5 pm, they can earn VND 400,000-500,000 (USD 17-22) a day which is a very good income. "The coffee harvesting season often lasts three months and we’ll work hard to earn while we can," he said.

Coffee cherries pickers work under very hot weather and have to wear thick gloves to avoid being bitten by insects.

But the most difficult work is to place large canvases under coffee trees during the harvesting, which can only be done by strong men.

At some tall big trees, pickers have to use stools. Normally they work in groups and women usually pick at lower parts while men higher parts.

The fresh coffee cherries are then dried under the sun.

Duong Phong (Dtinews)

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