Have you ever imagined enjoying a warm cup of coffee amidst the mountains shrouded in a thin mist? The sensation must be so calming. Especially when you know that the coffee beans were picked with great care by farmers who tend their land not only to earn a living, but also as a manifestation of love for nature. One special place that holds such a beautiful story is located in the Kamojang Mountains, specifically in Ibun Village, Bandung Regency, West Java. The name "Ibun" itself in Sundanese means "dew" or "mist," a natural phenomenon that always greets visitors to this area. Situated at an altitude of approximately 1,600 meters above sea level, according to the Social Forestry Decree, the area of the Mulyatani KPS is 1,144 hectares, with a special area for Ibun covering 245 hectares that is now green and productive thanks to the expanse of Arabica coffee plantations.
Figure 1 Condition of Ibun Coffee Land
Land conditions were very different before 2018. Management at that time was still under the authority of Perhutani, a state-owned enterprise tasked with sustainably managing the country's forest resources on the islands of Java and Madura. The dry, sandy soil, overgrown with wild grass, made the area highly susceptible to fires, which occurred almost annually. A major change occurred when local communities gained official access rights through a social forestry scheme. With a burning enthusiasm, they began transforming the degraded land into a harmonious agroforestry area. Rather than planting a single crop extensively, farmers chose coffee as their primary commodity because its strong root system binds the soil and prevents erosion. Between the rows of coffee trees, they also planted avocado, cinnamon, vanilla, jackfruit, and various vegetables as intercrops. This mixed cropping pattern provided a double benefit. Farmers could harvest vegetables and fruit for daily needs while awaiting the annual coffee harvest, which was the backbone of their families' livelihoods. The positive impacts of this ecological approach are evident. Since implementing agroforestry, there have been no more land fires in the area. Farmers even independently built small reservoirs to collect rainwater, so that water reserves are maintained when the dry season arrives.
Figure 2 Ecological Conditions of Ibun Coffee
To strengthen the institutional foundation and ensure the realisation of farmer welfare, social forestry groups then merged to form the Mulya Tani Nusantara Cooperative on July 27, 2024. This cooperative was born from a joint deliberation with facilitators and representatives of farmer group leaders from 21 villages in 6 sub-districts of Bandung Regency. They recognized that commodity price volatility, difficult access to capital, and limited agricultural technology presented significant challenges that could not be addressed alone. Through the cooperative, they pooled resources, facilitated access to financing, and opened fairer marketing channels. As of May 2026, 534 farmers were officially registered as cooperative members, with a total of 3,986 partner farmers. This number reflects the extent of the social impact that has been successfully built through the spirit of mutual cooperation and the principles of a people's economy.
Figure 3 Mulya Tani Social Forestry Group
In running its business, the cooperative highly upholds the principles of fair trade. (Fair Trade). The entire business process is divided into three interconnected links. The first link is the farmers who produce and sell the red-picked coffee as coffee cherries. They maintain quality through regular maintenance while upholding environmental conservation values. The second link is shelter A storage facility that serves as a post-harvest processing center. Here, coffee cherries are gradually processed into green beans ready for roasting, following strict standard operating procedures. The third link in the supply chain is the buyers, currently dominated by domestic industry players. The cooperative has partnered with several well-known companies, such as Kapal Api, Kopi TUKU, and Sukafina. However, due to limited capital, demand from these large companies has not been fully met.
Ibun coffee farmers hold social forestry permits, ensuring their land is legally recognized and the origin of the coffee produced in this area is traceable. This legality and traceability are crucial in light of current European regulations requiring coffee sold there to be traceable to its origin and not sourced from deforestation. This assurance provides confidence to potential partners seeking long-term partnerships.
Figure 4 Cherry coffee in Ibun Village
Mr. Roni, the cooperative's chairman, frequently expressed his ambitious goal of price independence. He hoped that the selling price of coffee would no longer be entirely determined by buyers or monopolized by large corporations, but instead would be determined directly by the farmers who had worked hard to care for the crops. This statement aligns with the tangible impacts already being felt. Environmentally, forest cover has recovered, springs are flowing freely again, and biodiversity is being preserved. Socially, farmer institutions have become more solid, collaboration between communities has strengthened, and their bargaining position in the market has significantly improved. Economically, farmer incomes have increased dramatically, coffee cherry prices have become more stable, and cash flow at the village level in some areas has even exceeded village fund allocations. All of these indicators demonstrate that Social forestry is not just a government program, but a truly functioning ecosystem.
Figure 5 Collaboration between residents at the Mulya Tani Cooperative
Of course, the two-year journey has not been without its challenges. Limited financing is a major obstacle, given that available funds only cover about 12 percent of total daily transaction needs. As a result, the absorption of farmers' harvests has not yet reached optimal levels. On the other hand, capacity shelter also still limited. Only 4 out of 9 shelter that have met standard operating procedures, resulting in post-harvest processes not being optimal and production capacity remaining constrained. Furthermore, human resource capacity in administration and financial record-keeping still needs to be improved. Transparency, accountability, and accurate business accounting systems are priorities that must be addressed immediately. The cooperative also recognizes the need for improvements to the remuneration system for management to ensure a more healthy organizational performance.
To address these challenges, the cooperative has developed a strategy that will be implemented in stages. Intensive consolidation with farmers throughout the Kamojang Mountains region will continue to maintain network integrity. Product quality will be strictly maintained, while stable supply availability remains a key focus to ensure customer confidence remains intact. Warehouse improvements and the procurement of post-harvest support machinery are ongoing efforts to ensure all facilities meet industry standards. Developing more detailed operational standards and implementing a transparent record-keeping system are urgent priorities for the cooperative's sustainable growth. Beyond the technical aspects, the cooperative recognizes that its greatest yet-to-be-uncovered strength lies in the narrative behind each coffee bean. Kopi Ibun is truly a symbol of the community's struggle to successfully transform fire-prone land into productive green lungs. Going forward, these conservation values and local wisdom will be combined with partners and buyers to further enhance Kopi Ibun's reputation as a conservation coffee. This product's excellence is further enhanced by a non-monoculture planting system that supports biodiversity, as well as the Grade 1 status of Ibun Arabica beans, which offer a complex, highland flavor profile.
Figure 6 Ibun Coffee Products
The Mulya Tani Nusantara Cooperative has demonstrated that the social forestry model can bridge ecological conservation and inclusive economic growth. With a commitment to improving governance, increasing production capacity, and strengthening the sustainability narrative, the cooperative is poised to take the next step toward becoming a key player in the specialty coffee industry. Every cup enjoyed is not just a morning pick-me-up, but a tangible trace of the community's efforts to protect the earth, empower others, and build a more just future. Support and collaboration from various parties will be the main fuel for this grand vision to continue moving forward, bringing broader impacts to forests, farmers, and all of us.
News Source:
Ibun Conservation Coffee: Protecting the Ecology, Bringing Economic Impact
