In 1989, the late Princess Mother called for the introduction of coffee as an alternative for hilltribe farmers in northern Thailand to help restore the ecological balance of the region. The Nestlé Experimental Coffee Development Farm Doi Tung was established in Chiang Rai province.

Under this project, 6 out of 57 Arabica varieties have been identified as suitable for cultivation in the hilly area. Nestlé agronomists provide technical assistance and training courses on agricultural techniques to help farmers grow Arabica coffee. And selected coffee varieties are regularly distributed to farmers for cultivation.