PhD defence by Thuyen Thi Pham

Climate-resilient coffee systems: grafting, economic performances, and farmers’ risk behaviour

Assessment Committee

• Associate Professor Mine Islar, Department of Food and Resource Economics, University of Copenhagen (Chairperson)
• Chief Innovation Officer Peter Laderach, NATIVUS
• Professor Marcella Veronesi, Università degli studi di Torino

Supervisor(s)

• Associate Professor Aske Skovmand Bosselmann
• Associate Professor Goytom Abraha Kahsay

Department

Department of Food and Resource Economics

Place

Department of Food and Resource Economics, Room: Von Langen,Rolighedsvej 23, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, 1958 Frederiksberg C

Email address to gain access to the thesis: tp@ifro.ku.dk 
You will either receive a copy of the thesis or be informed where you can read a physical copy.

Short description of the thesis

Coffee supports the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers worldwide, yet coffee production systems face increasing threats from climate change, pest and disease pressures, and market volatility. Grafting, which combines stress-tolerant rootstocks with productive scions, has emerged as a promising adaptation strategy, but evidence from real-world smallholder systems remains limited. Using survey data from 802 farmers managing 1,321 coffee plots in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, this dissertation shows that grafting substantially increases coffee yields, profitability, and economic resilience under adverse climate and market conditions. The research also examines how farmers perceive and manage risks, revealing that high perceived risks lead farmers to prioritise short-term coping strategies over long-term investments such as grafting. The findings highlight the need to address behavioural, institutional, and financial barriers alongside technological innovation.