Abstract
Engaging the community becomes crucial for environmental payment mechanisms as their implementation depends on the participation and coordination of beneficiaries, businesses, public agencies, and local resource users. Departing from this belief, this study examines the potential for expanding Vietnam’s Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) program to the coffee sector, with a focus on sustainable production. Using a mixed-method approach, the study assessed consumers’ perceptions of forest environmental services and their willingness to pay for PFES-supported coffee, while also examining stakeholder perspectives on a potential implementation mechanism. Data were collected from a survey of 457 customers in Dak Lak province and through interviews with representatives of coffee companies, government agencies, and relevant experts. The findings revealed that respondents generally rated forest environmental services as important, and most expressed a willingness to pay an additional premium for PFES-supported coffee. Among respondents with a positive WTP (Willing to pay), the estimated mean premium was 5.3% above the regular coffee price. Binary logistic regression results showed that income, perceived relevance of forest benefits, and normative support for customer contributions were positively associated with personal WTP. By connecting consumer willingness to contribute with institutional perspectives, the study found conditional support for integrating PFES into the coffee value chain, emphasizing transparent fund management, clear legal guidance, and effective communication. Despite farmers and forest-dependent communities were not directly consulted in this study, their participation should therefore be incorporated into future consultation and pilot design.
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Recommended Citation
Ngoc, Quyen Nguyen Thi; Xuan, Vung Nguyen; Hai, Nam Vu; Thuy, Cuong Nguyen; Huu, Nghi Tran; Tran, Thang; and Thi, Thuy Phan
(2026).
Payment for Forest Environmental Services for Sustainable Coffee Production: Engaging Stakeholders’ Perspectives.
ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement, 10(1), 52-68.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.7454/ajce.v10i1.1468
