How Sustainable Coffee Farming Benefits People and Nature

Across Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines and Indonesia, coffee has become more than a daily beverage, with a growing number of coffee shops and specialty cafés making it an integral part of everyday culture. Both countries are also uniquely positioned to cultivate distinctive coffee beans, thanks to their diverse landscapes, tropical climates, and long-standing coffee-growing traditions. As coffee culture continues to expand, consumers are becoming more discerning about specialty brews and bean origins, with growing interest in sustainably grown coffee that supports local communities and protects natural ecosystems.

This growing appreciation for coffee presents opportunities for both countries, which have rich but distinct coffee-growing traditions. The Philippine coffee market is projected to grow by 14.26% by 2027, reflecting its increasing potential in the regional coffee industry. The country is also among the few that cultivate multiple coffee varieties, with indigenous Igorot farmers in the northern highlands growing heirloom Arabica varieties such as Typica, Bourbon, San Ramon, and Mondo Novo alongside pine trees and shade crops.

Now, another coffee-growing region in Southeast Asia is gaining attention in the specialty coffee market: The Arfak Mountains of West Papua, Indonesia. Grown at high elevations by indigenous communities who help protect the surrounding forests, Arfak Arabica offers a distinct flavor profile, reflecting the same commitment to coffee farming conservation seen in Northern Luzon. These coffee-growing communities of the Philippines and Indonesia share a common approach to producing quality coffee while supporting local livelihood and protecting their natural resources.

Coffee, Forest, and Environmental Awareness Growing Together

In the Arfak Mountains of West Papua, coffee has long been part of community life, growing in home gardens alongside vegetables and fruit trees. However, before 2018, it was rarely considered a source of livelihood. Many farmers treated coffee as an ornamental plant, with some even cutting down trees to make garden tools or Christmas decorations.

Situated 1,800 to 2,000 meters above sea level, the region offers ideal conditions for Arabica coffee. Its fertile soil and cool climate allow coffee to grow naturally without chemical fertilizers or synthetic pesticides. However, farmers lacked the technical knowledge, processing systems, and market access to develop its potential.

The shift began when coffee became part of a broader effort toward sustainable agriculture and environmental protection. Barto Inden, 28, a local youth with an agricultural background who works at the Arfak Mountains Regency Agriculture Office and owns Kopi Anggi, witnessed this transformation firsthand.

"Before 2018, coffee was only one or two trees per farmer. Some planted it but did not know what to develop it into. Some were even cut down because they were considered to have no value," said Barto Inden.

The need for change became more urgent as land clearing, heavy rainfall, and illegal gold mining upstream increased the risks of landslides and damage to water sources. Several major landslides have since affected community gardens. In response, coffee cultivation has become part of efforts to protect the landscape. Through intercropping and avoiding land burning, coffee trees help reinforce soil and preserve water catchment areas.

From Mentorship to Production Systems: The Role of Bentara Papua

Bentara Papua's involvement in 2019 expanded these efforts beyond introducing coffee as an economic commodity. Through long-term technical assistance, the organization helped farmers develop cultivation and processing practices suited to the Arfak Mountains.

"We did not bring a finished system. We learned together with the community from their own gardens, and from there we assessed the potential of this coffee in accordance with the community culture," said Demius Aud, Coordinator of the Udohotma Station of Bentara Papua.

A key initiative was the establishment of the Merdesa Village School (SEKAM), which trains young people in natural resource management. The Udohotma Station also serves as a learning, production, and harvest consolidation center.

Farmers received training in establishing independent nurseries using locally sourced seeds and compost, reducing dependence on seedlings from outside the region that often struggle with temperature differences. Mentorship also covered planting distances, pruning, and organic pest control. Fertilizers are made from pig manure, decayed leaves, and kitchen waste, while botanical pesticides use garlic and local leaves.

Bentara Papua also introduced standardized post-harvest procedures, including fruit sorting, flotation, 36-hour fermentation, washing, and drying. Solar dryers help maintain consistent moisture levels of around 13 percent. In 2024, students from the University of Papua (UNIPA) further supported these efforts through research on soil conditions and coffee pests to inform organic control strategies.

Economic Impact, Markets, and Long-Term Hopes

Today, Arfak coffee involves 37 farmer groups across seven districts, with approximately 35 hectares of coffee planted in home gardens. Farmers receive direct cash payments through purchases made at production sites, eliminating intermediaries.

Green bean prices have increased from around IDR 80,000 to IDR 100,000 (P280 to P350) per kilogram, while parchment coffee remains at IDR 80,000 per kilogram. From 2023 to 2025, annual production is estimated at 6,000 kilograms of beans.

Marketed under the Kopi Anggi brand, the coffee is available as green beans, roasted beans, and ground coffee. It has reached coffee shops in Manokwari, appeared at national exhibitions, and attracted buyers from Poland, Germany, and the Netherlands. However, supply remains limited as producers maintain quality standards and processing requirements.

"My hope is that this is not just about production, but about the future of the people and nature of the Arfak Mountains," said Barto Inden.

The journey of Arfak coffee demonstrates how a restorative economy can support both livelihoods and environmental conservation. By developing the value of coffee without sacrificing forests or damaging water sources, the initiative helps ensure that economic benefits remain within the community while protecting the natural resources future generations depend on.