Ampelgading Village, Blitar Regency is one of the coffee producing areas in East Java. The large potential of this commodity must be accompanied by an increase in production quality. This is the initiative of the MMD UB group 54, Universitas Brawijaya. This group empowers farmers in Ampelgading village.
This program is based on a strong desire to introduce new technology and knowledge to local farmers, as well as provide a deeper understanding of the great potential of the coffee commodity grown in Ampelgading. Fernanda Gusti Syahputra stated that many farmers in this village are not yet fully aware of the added value of the coffee they grow. “We want to help farmers not only as producers, but also as downstream actors who can get more value from their hard work,” said Fernanda.
The activity began with intensive training for farmers, where the student team taught coffee plant care techniques, from proper pruning to optimal post-harvest processes. One of the farmer members in the SENTOSA farmer group, Ms. Etik, conveyed the importance of maintaining coffee quality from the beginning of the production process. “The key to quality coffee is in the process that is carried out carefully from upstream to downstream,” she added. The farmers were also invited to learn more about modern coffee processing technology, such as the use of roasting and grinding tools that can improve the quality of their products.
In addition to technical training, the student team also provided education to farmers about marketing strategies and branding their coffee products. Previously, Ampelgading farmers only sold their coffee traditionally, without utilizing the strong branding potential. Now, with guidance from the MMD UB team, Ampelgading coffee products have begun to be packaged with modern and attractive designs, so that they are able to compete in a wider market, both regionally and nationally.
This program also emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in local economic development. All farmers, both men and women, are invited to be involved in the entire production process, from planting to packaging. This aims to create an inclusive and equitable village economy, where all villagers can feel the economic benefits of coffee products. Several groups of village women were also given special training in coffee processing and marketing so that they could contribute more actively to the local supply chain.
The success of this program not only improved the quality and quantity of coffee production in Ampelgading Village, but also strengthened the relationship between farmers and students as agents of change. Farmers feel more confident in managing their coffee businesses with the new knowledge they have gained. Positive appreciation was shown by Sukadi, one of the farmers who participated in this program. “We feel very helped by this training. Now we understand better how to increase the selling value of our coffee and are ready to enter a bigger market,” he said. [UB PR/ Trans. Iir]
