Mr. Lu

In early 80's, they started to grow coffee beans around that area by Han people.  Around that time, Lisu people from the top of Gaoligong Mountain (高黎贡山), the 3000m plus mountain villages in Nujiang Prefecture (怒江傈僳族自治州) started to migrate to the lower stream of Nu River for livelihood (scanty produce on high altitude) and/or safety reason (landslides).  The lower stream of Nu River, altitude (900-1500m), with her valley boasting a sub-tropical climate, is most suitable for coffee farming.

Gradually, the Lisu minority followed the Han and learned the coffee growing techniques.  Our major contact, Mr. Lu's family, has started growing coffee trees in 1996, when 40 households out of 80 in the village had already been doing.  Among them, the majority was still Han people.

From 2002, the Lu's forfeited the plants on their farm (about 1100m)and planted Catimor coffee plants extensively to the hillsides (1300-1500m), under the guidance of the agricultural department's advocate.   Most farmers were having similar move during that time.

There are about 90 households in the village, many of which grow coffee, including the Lisu minority.  The Lu's have over 15000 Catimor trees (2 tons per year of beans) and they have been bringing in more varieties of coffee, having planted 1000 Typica and some Bourbon.  The family is running a medium size farm among others in the vincinity.  Limited by resources and manpower (also cash flow, knowhow and confidence), they are hesitant to making more changes or substantial investments.  Lu's wife works in Shanghai so as to earn enough for the family, which is not a solution to the problem.  His teenage daughter is struggling to find a way to develop the family business. Especially during peak seasons of coffee planting and harvesting, Mr. Lu finds it hard to make ends meet for the whole family, although he has a clear vision for his tribe and community.  As a Lisu Christian, he is well-versed in the Bible: Love your neighbours as yourself.  He is dreaming of setting up a Farmers' Co-op, helping the farmers nearby and facilitating the development of the trade.