
Rising abruptly from the coastal plains of Sumatra’s northern-most province, the mountains of Aceh Tengah (Central Aceh) are the historical home to the Gayonese people. The ideal growing conditions of this region have supported the long history and unique quality reputation of “Gayo Mountain” coffee.
Years of civil war plagued this region, causing many farmers to abandon their land and flee to the neighboring city of Medan. However, after a powerful tsunami hit the coastal region of northern Sumatra in 2014, the most devastating of its kind in modern times, peace accords were signed, ending a generation of violence and allowing many to return to their land.
Permata Gayo Cooperative was founded in 2006, when 50 farmers from 5 villages of the Bener Meriah district of the Aceh Province came together to discuss how to rebuild their abandoned coffee farms. They were successful in increasing their membership and achieved organic certification in 2007 and fair trade certification from FLO-Cert in 2009. They have brought the full process of coffee production from farmer to final export under one roof, thus improving quality, and guaranteeing more traceability from Aceh to roaster. As a result of their growth and improvements, the coop has been able to share more of the final price of coffee with their farmers.
Cooperative Coffees has worked with Permata Gayo since 2009, and their coffee has quickly become one of our most important offerings. It is popular as a single origin and irreplaceable in many of our members' blends. The sweet, earthy, green pepper and red fruit notes along with its syrupy body and lingering finish are characteristic of this Gayo coffee.
Permata Gayo Cooperative
- FLO ID#: 6589
- Organic Cert
Profile
- Total Bags Purchased: 35809
- Partner Since: 2009
- Founded: 2006
- Total Members: 2134
- Total Hectares: 2458.00
- Organic Members: 2134
- Female Members: 358
- Avg Farm Size: 1.15 ha
- Organic Hectares: 2458.00
- Full time staff: 14
- Full time female staff: 5
- Fulltime Agronomists: 1
- Harvest: October - July
- Elevation: 1100-1550 m m
Varietals Grown:
- 40% Catimor
- 30% Bourbon
- 25% Other
- 5% Other
Social Premium Investment: 2019 Crop Year
Fair Trade Certification guarantees 20 cents/lb of the price paid a producer organization is set aside as a social premium. How this money is invested is a decision taken collectively by the general assembly of members at the end of each harvest. Below is a break down of how producers in this organization chose to spend their fair trade premium.
25% |
Education
Training to increase quality and productivity, composting and pruning
|
22% |
Operations
Office cost, certification (organic, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance and SPP), licenses
|
18% |
Infastructure
Processing facility in each village and central processing
|
15% |
Community Development
Youth council, empowering women, keep traditional art, sponsorship
|
10% |
Additional Income
Food program in off seasons
|
10% |
Diversification
Nursery for shade and fruit trees (Avocado, banana, etc)
|
Recent Projects We Supported:
Date | Project | Status | Report |
1/15/21 | COVID Support | Approved | |
10/2/19 | Climate Change Adaptation Program | Approved |