Antara News·Indonesia·Friday, October 30, 2026 at 05:36 PM UTC

Central Papua to train 300 farmers to boost coffee quality

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Ali Ichsan, Uyu Liman

Nabire, Central Papua (ANTARA) - The Central Papua Provincial Government will provide agricultural training to 300 coffee farmers across six districts this year to improve crop management and raise the quality of the region's bean production.

Head of the Plantation Division at the Central Papua Plantation and Livestock Office Andreas Gobay said here on Friday that the capacity-building program targets 50 smallholders from each of the six districts: Puncak, Puncak Jaya, Intan Jaya, Paniai, Dogiyai, and Nabire.

"This program is one of the flagship priorities spearheaded by Central Papua Governor Meki Nawipa," Gobay said.

The training will equip farmers with standardized agronomic techniques, focusing on proper planting methods, pruning, and the selective harvesting of ripe coffee cherries to ensure the highest quality.

Under the initiative, the provincial government serves as facilitator, while technical coaching is led by the Indonesian Coffee Association (ASKI) under a formal partnership.

Gobay said structured training is vital to closing the gap between the high market reputation of Papua coffee and inconsistencies in bean quality.

"Our goal is for farmers to master proper cultivation techniques. While Papua coffee carries significant brand prestige, bean quality has been lacking. Through this partnership, farmers are being trained using a standardized curriculum developed by the Indonesian Coffee Association," he remarked.

The provincial administration has allocated more than Rp1 billion (approximately US$55,178) for the initiative, which is slated to roll out immediately.

Central Papua Governor Meki Nawipa said revitalizing the local coffee industry is a long-term economic priority that farmers cannot achieve in isolation.

The provincial government is working to build a network among coffee entrepreneurs so that they can exchange information and knowledge, strengthen their bargaining power, as well as mitigate the impacts of price volatility.

"Farmers need an organized support system and reliable networks. We are establishing these channels so farmers can exchange insights and secure long-term market access," Nawipa said, warning that isolated farmers frequently fall prey to predatory middlemen who suppress purchase prices.

Empowering grassroots coffee farmers, the governor added, serves as a foundation for developing subsequent support for coffee plantations across Central Papua.

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