Farm Story
“There are more important things in life than making money.” As their aging parents’ health deteriorated and homesickness intensified, to fulfill their parents’ wish to return to their hometown, the Lai Qianqi couple decided to give up their stable jobs in the city and move their family back to their hometown in Gukeng, Yunlin. About ten years ago, the couple began a life of daily agricultural labor, working from sunrise to sunset, following the cycle of the seasons.
Since their old home was in the Hebao Mountain area, and they enjoyed drinking coffee, Lai Qianqi naturally ventured into coffee cultivation. Originally a university military instructor in Taichung, Lai Qianqi insists on using natural farming methods to grow coffee, without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, and minimizing human intervention as much as possible. He allows crops to grow following nature’s laws, coexisting with insects, organisms, and plants. After retiring from the military, Lai Qianqi participated in “Coffee Management Micro-entrepreneurship Training” and “Organic Agriculture Management Practical Courses” organized by the Veterans Affairs Council Vocational Training Center, enhancing his expertise in coffee planting, processing, roasting, and management. To adhere to his natural farming philosophy, Lai Qianqi even decisively cut down the tangerine trees on their old property that were grown using conventional farming methods.
Cherry Fruit Gukeng Coffee Estate mainly grows Arabica coffee. Since 2019, the estate has applied for coffee traceability certification. The estate also cultivates a variety of crops, including day lilies, roselle, turmeric, and cinnamon. They have applied for agricultural product traceability for these crops and pass pesticide residue tests annually. These quality control measures are to ensure the safety of raw materials and realize Cherry Fruit’s philosophy of “taste, refinement, and locality.”
All agricultural products available on the market originate from their estate farm. During the farming process, Cherry Fruit realized the importance of transforming raw materials into products. However, profits from agricultural sales alone were limited. Therefore, since 2019, they decided to move towards a corporate management model, focusing on raw material development and marketing packaging to achieve product diversification. Now, the estate offers 10 major categories with over 70 products, including various sizes of coffee cherry tea, instant black coffee made from their own coffee beans, green beans, roasted beans, drip coffee bags, and even handmade soap gift boxes made from coffee and other crops. This diverse product range led to Cherry Fruit being selected as one of Yunlin’s Top 100 destinations in 2020.
Cherry Fruit Gukeng Coffee Estate not only focuses on growing and producing coffee but also actively promotes environmental education. To increase public awareness of agricultural environmental protection, the estate regularly holds various lectures. These activities cover important topics, including safe use of pesticides and effective management strategies for coffee pests. In September 2023, Cherry Fruit Gukeng Coffee Estate collaborated with the Agricultural Research Institute and the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine to successfully host an event called “Coffee Berry Borer Field Sustainable Health Management Technology Demonstration Seminar.”
This seminar invited numerous agricultural experts and scholars to showcase effective pest control measures and sustainable management techniques in coffee cultivation. During the event, experts combined their practical experiences to introduce advanced technologies and management methods to participants, promoting sustainable development in coffee cultivation. These lectures and seminars not only enhanced the professional knowledge of agricultural practitioners but also strengthened the emphasis on environmental protection and sustainable agricultural practices.
Lai Qianqi’s wife, Wang Yinghui, besides being the estate manager, also serves as the leader of the 12th Coffee Production and Marketing Group in Gukeng, Yunlin County, actively promoting the local coffee industry. The 12th Production and Marketing Group consists of 27 professional coffee growers who actively promote coffee traceability certification, an important measure to ensure coffee quality and source transparency.
From 2019, the certified area of the production and marketing group expanded from 4.9 hectares to 11 hectares in 2022, demonstrating their determination in promoting traceability certification. Wang Yinghui has also devoted considerable effort to improving the lives of small coffee farmers. She helps local small farmers join the operations of the production and marketing group, assisting them in selling coffee and increasing members’ income. The group has achieved remarkable results, winning multiple awards and being recognized as one of the top ten excellent production and marketing groups in the country in 2022.
“There are more important things in life than making money.” This statement reflects Lai Qianqi’s life philosophy, from planting his first coffee tree in his hometown more than a decade ago. This coffee journey initially began as a response to his parents’ wishes, but as time passed, his goals became broader and more ambitious. He not only strives to treat the land well and protect the natural environment but also actively engages in guiding local coffee farmers, helping other farmers improve their techniques and quality of life. Cherry Fruit seeks more meaning in life, considering how to make a positive impact on society and the environment.
Farm Information
Facebook: https://facebook.com/p/櫻桃果古坑咖啡莊園-100057518856868/
Address: No. 75-5, Xinzhang Rd, Gukeng Township, Yunlin County
Cultivation Altitude: 200-1300 meters
Estate Area: 5 hectares
