About the Cooperative

Imagine walking through the lush highlands of Aceh, Indonesia, where volcanic soil meets cool mountain air and morning mist drapes the coffee trees, and the distant calls of birds harmonize with the soft chatter of women farmers tending their crops. This is the story of Koperasi Kopi Wanita Gayo (KKWG), the first all-women Fairtrade coffee cooperative in Indonesia.

The cooperative was founded in 2014, with a clear vision to improve the income and quality of life of women farmers and their families through agriculture, coffee production, and trade, while strengthening women’s awareness and economic participation.

It was created in response to the persistent marginalization of women within mixed cooperatives, where social barriers often limit their participation and exclude them from decision-making processes. Although women play a vital role in coffee farming and trade, their contributions have historically been overlooked and their leadership under-recognized within cooperative structures.

At Koperasi Kopi Wanita Gayo (KKWG), women are not only cooperative members — they are the managers, decision-makers, and owners of both the cooperative and their coffee farms. Located in the Bener Meriah District of Aceh Province, Indonesia, KOKOWAGAYO brings together more than 674 women farmers from fifteen villages: (Wonosari, Temas Mumanang, Suku Sara Tangke, Suku Bener I, Suku Bener II, Pemango, Selamat Rejo, Weh Pesam, Bukit Pepanyi, Paya Reje, Arul Kumer, Semeut Mutiara, Waq Pondok Sayur, Bukit Ewih, and Paya Tumpi Baru).  Together, they collectively manage over 470.27 hectares of certified organic coffee land.

United through a democratic governance system, members actively shape the cooperative’s direction through a General Assembly composed of 18 elected delegates, supported by 14 collectors and a women-led board. This inclusive structure ensures that every decision reflects the voices, needs, and aspirations of its members, making KOKOWAGAYO not only a cooperative but also a dedicated space for empowerment, leadership, and long-term sustainability for women coffee farmers.

Growing, Processing, Harvesting, and Export

At elevations of 1,000 to 1,400 meters above sea level, KKWG farmers produce approx 3.547.535 kilos of Arabica coffee varieties, including Gayo 1 (Tim-tim), Gayo 2 (Bourbon), Gayo 3, Catimor, and P88. Grown organically under agroforestry systems, coffee trees thrive alongside shade trees and native species that enrich the soil, retain water, and protect biodiversity. This environmentally responsible approach ensures that farming remains productive while preserving the fragile highland ecosystem for future generations.

At Koperasi Kopi Wanita Gayo (KKWG), every cup begins in the highlands of Aceh, where coffee cherries are hand-picked at peak ripeness to ensure that only the finest beans enter the cooperative’s harvest. With care rooted in tradition and sustainability, women farmers carefully select ripe red cherries at optimal maturity before delivering them to local collectors for processing.

The cherries undergo a meticulous transformation process: pulping, fermentation for 8–12 hours, washing, and sun-drying to become parchment coffee. The parchment is then hulled and polished, followed by final drying to achieve optimal moisture levels. Afterward, the beans are transported to Medan for grading and preparation as export-ready green coffee beans.

From Medan, KKWG coffee is shipped to specialty markets around the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Korea.

The result is consistently high-quality coffee with cup scores of 85+, recognized for its smooth body, low-to-medium acidity, and balanced sweetness—flavor characteristics that reflect the unique Gayo terroir and the dedication of the women producers behind every harvest.

All coffee produced by KKWG is Fairtrade and Organic certified, including ECO-Cert, EU Organic, and USDA NOP certifications, demonstrating a strong commitment to ethical farming practices, environmental sustainability, and exceptional quality.

Among KKWG’s signature offerings is Fairtrade Organic Sumatra Mandheling Grade 1 Kokowagayo, a premium Arabica coffee processed using traditional semi-washed, Sumatra wet-hulling methods. Meeting Grade 1 export standards, it delivers a smooth, balanced, subtly sweet flavour profile—reflecting their meticulous craftsmanship and positioning it as a premium coffee for international buyers. 

Fairtrade Premium Impact

Since its  Fairtrade certification in 2015, the Fairtrade Premium has been a cornerstone of KKWG’s impact, enabling farmers to invest collectively in projects that strengthen environmental sustainability, social well-being, and economic resilience.

On the environmental front, Fairtrade Premium funds have supported large-scale tree planting and the expansion of agroforestry systems across members’ farms. Shade trees and native species planted alongside coffee help combat soil erosion, improve water retention, and restore biodiversity across the fragile highland ecosystem.

These efforts extend beyond individual farms. Students from nearby Islamic boarding schools are invited to participate in tree-planting programs, fostering environmental stewardship among younger generations and nurturing a shared responsibility for protecting the Gayo highlands. By combining coffee production with ecological restoration, KOKOWAGAYO ensures that farming remains both environmentally sustainable and economically viable.

So far, 50,000 trees have been planted through a coordinated support program that provides farmers with coffee, orange, avocado, and durian seedlings. These trees create natural shade for coffee plants while diversifying crops, strengthening biodiversity, and improving farmers’ long-term resilience.

The social impact of the Fairtrade Premium is equally visible throughout the community. Investments have equipped medical centres with essential instruments and supplies to support new mothers and their babies, while a village ambulance now connects remote farmers to healthcare services during emergencies. To date, one ambulance serves members of KOKOWAGAYO and the wider community across two villages — Wonosari and Tansaran Bidin — improving access to timely medical care.

Benefits extend beyond cooperative members, positively affecting neighbouring communities both directly and indirectly. Early childhood education programs and childcare centres allow mothers to work during harvest seasons with peace of mind, knowing their children are safe and supported in their development. 

Women farmers also benefit from income-generating initiatives such as sewing training and cooperative leadership programs, which build practical skills, strengthen confidence, and empower women to take active roles in household and community decision-making.

In 2023, a dedicated women’s meeting room was established in Wonosari Village, creating a safe and inclusive space for dialogue, training, and collective decision-making. Meeting rooms are planned for all villages, with facilities already completed in Wonosari and Temas Mumanang.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fairtrade Premium funds played a critical role in community resilience by providing hygiene stations and essential supplies that helped families navigate an unprecedented crisis. 

Economically, the Fairtrade Premium has unlocked new opportunities for women farmers to improve quality, access markets, and increase income. Capacity-building initiatives — including training in coffee cupping, quality assessment, and compost processing — have enhanced both productivity and bean quality, enabling farmers to meet higher market standards and secure better prices.

The cooperative is further supported by its own professional Q-Grader, who works closely with members to improve quality control practices and guide farmers in producing consistently high-quality coffee.

To date, delegates, collectors, and youth council members have participated in cupping and quality assessment training, helping build expertise across different levels of the cooperative. In addition, 273 members have completed production improvement training covering essential practices such as pruning, composting, production record-keeping, and farm health monitoring.

“Training from Fairtrade has made us more valuable and contribute more to the coffee plantation. As we become Fairtrade certified and the cooperative gains money, these funds can be used directly by the women for their needs. A lot of improvements have been made.”

Rizkani/ Kokowagayo Chairwoman

Investments in processing infrastructure have significantly strengthened farmers’ ability to produce specialty-grade coffee while improving income stability. Support provided through the Fairtrade Premium includes pulping machines, drying tarpaulins, raised drying systems, and seedling distribution — all designed to enable careful, hands-on handling of coffee from harvest to drying.

These improvements enhance post-harvest quality management, allowing farmers to sell directly to exporters rather than relying on intermediaries. As a result, farmers are able to access better and more stable prices, increasing economic security for their households.

To date, pulping machines have been distributed to support 200 farmers, with each machine shared among approximately five to seven farmers to maximize collective use and efficiency. Drying tarpaulins have primarily been distributed to collectors, who are responsible for processing coffee from multiple farmers, while in several villages tarpaulins have also been provided directly to individual farmers to improve on-farm drying practices.

In addition, seedlings have been distributed to 273 farmers, supporting both coffee production and crop diversification. Looking ahead, further distributions of coffee, citrus, avocado, and durian seedlings are planned for new farmers affected by flooding and landslides, helping restore livelihoods and strengthen climate resilience.

Beyond coffee production, off-season vegetable cultivation initiatives provide an additional source of income while improving household food security, reducing dependence on a single crop and enhancing long-term resilience.

Despite its achievements, KKWG continues to face challenges, including climate change, market fluctuations, and the need to attract younger generations to coffee farming. Yet opportunities are equally strong. Expanding agroforestry, strengthening women’s leadership, replacing aging coffee trees, and increasing access to global specialty markets offer clear pathways for continued growth and impact.

Despite its achievements, KKWG continues to face challenges, including climate change, market fluctuations, and the need to attract younger generations to coffee farming. Yet opportunities are equally strong. Expanding agroforestry, strengthening women’s leadership, replacing aging coffee trees, and increasing access to global specialty markets offer clear pathways for continued growth and impact.

Supporting Koperasi Kopi Wanita Gayo is about more than sourcing exceptional coffee. It is about empowering women farmers, sustaining rural communities, protecting fragile ecosystems, and delivering high-quality specialty coffee rooted in fairness and sustainability, allowing consumers, donors, and buyers to participate in a shared story of social, economic, and environmental impact.