According to the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Agency of Tibet Autonomous Region, Zayul County of Nyingchi City is planting its own coffee.

The trail crop has finished growing seedlings and is developing well. This is the first time coffee has been planted in Tibet. If the effort is successful, coffee-planting in other appropriate regions would begin in order to launch Tibet’s own coffee brand.

Located in southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Zayul County is an important border county in Tibet. The area has an average altitude of 2,300 meters and the humid climate of Himalaya Mountains’ subtropical zone. The seasons are mild, with plenty of precipitation, sunlight, and an extended frost-free period. The region was picked for coffee-planting in Tibet for its unique climate advantages.

Dawa Dondrup, deputy director of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Agency in Zayul County, said that Shama Village has imported 500 grams of Yunnan Province’s small-granule coffee seeds for planting with help from experts. The test area covers seven square meters.

The quality of coffee is closely related to its growth environment; small-granule coffee requires even more control over the climate and environment. “During the testing phase, we will use plastic film and other protective measures to prevent frost from affecting coffee growth, and to help the coffee plants survive the winter,” Dawa Dondrup said.

Tashi Phuntsok, one of the farmers in Shama Village participating in the coffee-growing project, said, “Coffee is a very valuable crop, I hope more farmers can become prosperous after the test is a success.”

“We hope to promote coffee-planting in more areas and have a comprehensive coffee industry chain, and to turn “Tibetan Coffee” into a famous brand.” Dawa Dondrup said with anticipation.