Agroeconomic performance and labor dynamics associated with coffee and black pepper diversified cropping systems

TI  - Agroeconomic performance and labor dynamics associated with coffee and black pepper diversified cropping systems 
AU  - Duong, B. 
AU  - Van Le, B. 
AU  - Vo, C. 
AU  - Chau, L.T.M. 
AU  - Hoang, T.Q. 
AU  - Nguyen, D.T. 
AU  - Rapidel, B. 
AU  - Rigal, C. 
AB  - This study examines the agronomic, labor, and economic impacts of crop diversification in Robusta coffee and black pepper farming systems in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, where these commodities are major sources of income for approximately 800,000 households. In response to market volatility, many farmers have diversified production by integrating coffee, black pepper, and fruit or nut tree species within the same farms. Using survey data from 238 households, the study compares monoculture systems with diversified cropping systems to evaluate differences in resource use, productivity, labor requirements, and profitability. The results show that diversification enhances land-use efficiency through higher planting densities and improves nutrient-use efficiency while maintaining coffee and black pepper yields at the individual plant level. Although coffee and pepper yields per hectare tended to decrease in diversified systems, production from additional crops compensated for these reductions. Resource-use patterns differed between commodities, with black pepper systems requiring greater phosphorus inputs and pesticide use, whereas coffee systems relied more heavily on nitrogen fertilizers and irrigation. Diversified coffee systems applied water more frequently but in smaller amounts per tree, contributing to reduced overall water use. Labor requirements also varied considerably among systems. Black pepper production was the most labor-intensive activity, particularly during harvest periods. Diversification helped distribute labor demand more evenly throughout the year, reducing seasonal labor peaks. Economically, black pepper systems generated higher gross outputs but also incurred greater operating costs, resulting in gross margins similar to those of other systems. Diversified systems, however, provided higher returns to labor. Overall, the findings indicate that diversification offers important benefits in resource-use efficiency and labor management while maintaining comparable profitability under prevailing market conditions, supporting the development of more resilient farming systems in the Central Highlands. 
PY  - 2026 
UR  - https://www.cifor-icraf.org/knowledge/publication/47129/ 
DO  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2026.104701 
KW  - agricultural production, agroforestry, coffee, crop management, diversification, farming systems, irrigation, labour, land productivity, mixed cropping, pepper, smallholders, sustainable agriculture 
ER  -