Human Resources Development to Support Coffee Plantations Improvement in Aceh

NazamuddinSyiah Kuala University

Indonesian International Coffee Symposium – Banda Aceh, 20 Nov. 2014

I. The Context and Recent Development

It is very important to keep Indonesia being an exporter 7% of world coffee production, and the fourth largest world coffee producer after Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia.

Gayo Highland is the largest Arabica coffee producing region in Indonesia, even in the South-East Asia.

The total coffee plantations in the area are around 94,851 ha; 45,316 ha in Bener Meriah, 48,300 ha in Aceh Tengah, and 1,235 ha in Gayo Lues, owned by about 65,196 families of farmers

Almost 80 percent of coffee growers in Gayo Highland maintain organic plantation. The soil, the landscape, and the climate of the area contribute to various rich characters, strong body, and complex flavor of Gayo Arabica Coffee.

I. The Context and Recent Development - contd

The Gayo Arabica Coffee belongs to the premium category, equal to the class of other world-famous coffees like Brazilian, Blue Mountain, and Ethiopian.

About 40,600 ton green beans/year, 85% of the total production of Gayo Arabica Coffees, are exported to USA, Japan, Germany, Italy, and England, accounting for 60% of Indonesia Arabica coffee export.

Some of Gayo Arabica Coffee producers have been certified by international certification bodies such as Organic (Bio Inspecta), Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, Café Practice, and Bird Friendly.

I. The Context and Recent Development

The coffee productivity in Gayo Highland has not substantially improved. The gap between potential yields and the actual yields is large.

Productivity ranges from 600-720 kg green beans/ha/year (mixed varieties, less inputs, poor crop management) to around 2000 kg green beans/ha/year (hybrid varieties, enough inputs, good crop management, etc.).

Average productivity of Indonesian Arabica coffee is 954 kg green beans/ha.

Selling price of the conventional green beans of the Gayo Arabica Coffee at farm gate level varies from IDR 21,000-26,000/kg.

I. The Context and Recent Development

Most smallholder coffee farmers continue to experience difficulty producing enough coffee beans to meet their income requirements, so coffee productivity growth remains essential for achieving income security.

Poverty pressure together with climate change are key factors contributing to the acceleration of land degradation process, clearance of natural forest, increased cultivation of crops on steep slopes and other marginal lands.

High labor requirements, and uncertainty about investment returns, have created a barrier to the adoption of sustainable farm management practices.

The region is struggling to cope with current climatic conditions, and the longer term impacts associated with climate change will pose additional stress and new challenges.

I. The Context and Recent Development

Agricultural resources should be utilized in the most optimal manner so as to maximize their productivity and realize to the fullest income generating potentials at the least possible cost.

Sustainable management and utilization of such resources are the guiding principle in pursuing agricultural development.

Conservation and protection of indigenous bio-diversity and promoting environmentally friendly practices to minimize the negative impact of climate change in coffee development should also be given emphasis.

II. How Syiah Kuala University Can Support Sustainable Coffee Development in Aceh?

Returns from coffee crops depend on three factors: Productivity Quality Efficiency

These three factors are affected by:

Human resource development

Utilization of quality planting materials

Cost-efficient management

In addition, research and development efforts should intensified, new product developed, and technology improved

Syiah Kuala University has played and will keep playing a greater role in providing support these areas by Training in coffee production Research Technology development and application in

postharvest and processing Agro-finance management and marketing

network.

II. Human resource developmentCoffee growing is labor intensive and therefore

skills improvement is crucial.

Generation changes and skills of the young coffee growers need to be upgraded.

More value added should be gained by coffee growers. They need training not only in technical know-how, but also efficient farm management, marketing, and entrepreneurial skills.

These are the examples of the things that can be done by Syiah Kuala University

Development of integrated database in coffee production.

Plan of skills improvement

Train postharvest and processing practices for better handling of the harvest

Establishing a central nursery to supply quality seeds to the small growers.

Strengthening coffee growers cooperatives.

Disseminating and training programmes on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for coffee production.

Syiah Kuala University can also help in coffee quality control and safety

This can be done through the provision for lab analysis, inspection, certification and documentation.

Through its coffee processing peer-group, Syiah Kuala University is ready and available to train coffee processors with updated coffee processing technology and management

Thank you