Arrangement of Arabica Coffee Production for a Fair and Sustainable Collective Economy by Young Farmers of KTH Ma'asering in Kumelembuay, Tomohon City

In Kumelembuay Village, East Tomohon District, Tomohon City, the Ma'asering Forest Farmers Group (KTH) has begun improving its Arabica coffee management from upstream to downstream. The group, which has 385 members, has initiated training programs and established a nursery and learning center to strengthen the coffee farmers' bargaining power.

Kumelembuay itself is located on the eastern side of Tomohon and directly adjacent to the Mahawu protected area. The majority of Kumelembuay residents are farmers, accounting for approximately 70% of the 1311 residents. Agricultural commodities are divided into horticultural crops (primarily vegetables) covering approximately 90 hectares, sugar palm (25 hectares), and coffee (10 hectares). The income of the Kumelembuay community is uncertain due to unstable vegetable prices. This is suspected to be the cause of the increasing clearing and conversion of Kumelembuay land to horticultural agriculture.

Areas previously planted with sugar palm, coffee, or trees in buffer zones (water catchment areas) have been transformed into vegetable beds. Furthermore, the widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in vegetable farming has negatively impacted soil fertility and human health.

Regarding coffee, Kumelembuay, located in a mountainous region at an altitude of 850 to 1500 meters above sea level, is geographically very suitable for coffee cultivation. In early 2024, several community groups in Kumelembuay began developing a new coffee variety in collaboration with a company. However, this did not come without a price; the community was required to sign a contract with the company to receive coffee seedlings.

The contract stipulates the purchase of the harvest and the company's pricing. Challenges are also encountered in the field, where coffee cultivation does not meet good standards; access to seedlings is limited; and marketing knowledge remains limited. All of these situations inevitably restrict the freedom of movement of coffee farmers upstream and narrow the options available downstream.

Not wanting the situation to drag on, KTH Ma'asering will move in the period from December 2024 to April 2025. Preparations began with deliberations and the formation of a joint study group attended by the North Sulawesi Ecology and People's Economy Consortium, elements of KTH Ma'asering and young farmers who are planned to be the main drivers in the joint study group.

The meeting reached an agreement on the work plan, technical implementation points, and group regulations. The KTH Ma'asering management was officially inaugurated by the Kumelembuay Village government during the meeting. A study group of 25 young farmers (part of the KTH Maasering membership) was also formed.

The "Daseng KTH Ma'asering" education center was then built in stages from January to February 2025. This Daseng will serve as a gathering place, learning center, and documentation storage. Most of the activities in the upcoming series will take place here, from discussions and training to developing follow-up plans.

At the same time, the group prepared supporting facilities for Arabica coffee seedlings. The first step was to construct a greenhouse and then sow 30 kg of Arabica coffee beans. Approximately 30.000 Arabica coffee seedlings have already grown well. Of these, approximately 8.000 have been transplanted into polybags, while the rest are still in the process of being transplanted.

To expedite the transplanting process, the group members agreed to engage in weekly community service to fill the polybags with soil, and every member was required to attend. Currently, some members have prepared the land for planting the Arabica coffee seeds.

Independent coffee nurseries, accessible free of charge to group members, are an effort to address the most fundamental upstream gap that often weakens farmers' bargaining power. Independent coffee seed production reduces dependence on companies and can also reduce operational costs for coffee cultivation.

Coffee training is implemented in a multi-layered manner. On March 1, 2025, the group held a classroom training session on Arabica coffee cultivation techniques, production, and marketing strategies. The material covered proper cultivation procedures, production standards, and an introduction to marketing channels.

In addition to emphasizing cultivation techniques, the training provided insights into coffee downstream processing, marketing, and global market opportunities. The training also fostered enthusiasm among all group members for growing Arabica coffee. Two weeks later, on March 23rd, the group conducted cultivation practice on the coffee plantation. The field experience reinforced the techniques learned in the classroom training.

While the Ma'asering Forest Farmers Group (KTH) has not yet achieved harvest results, the Ma'asering Forest Farmers Group has begun to strengthen farmers' bargaining power. The program has a social impact in Kumelembuay Village, covering an area of ​​330 hectares with a population of 415 women and 470 men, including 295 young people. The Ma'asering Forest Farmers Group plans to focus on operational and realistic follow-up efforts in the future. Seedling maintenance will continue until they are ready to plant and will continue to be distributed. Meanwhile, education on the importance of sustainable agriculture in collaborative study groups to strengthen the capabilities of farmers, especially young farmers, continues. This education is crucial for strengthening farmers' confidence that economic improvement can go hand in hand with improved land management that prioritizes environmental sustainability.