USK Researcher: Floods and Landslides Pressure Gayo Coffee Production

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Researcher from the Centre for Coffee and Cocoa Research at Syiah Kuala University (USK), Abu Bakar, stated that hydrometeorological disasters such as floods and landslides are accelerating pressure on the coffee sector. Previously, the sector had already been affected by climate change, potentially lowering the productivity of Gayo coffee in the highlands of Aceh. “Land damage due to landslides can eliminate the topsoil layer that is vital for coffee plants. This directly impacts productivity,” said Abu Bakar in his statement on Wednesday. He explained that the floods and landslides that struck several areas in Sumatra at the end of 2025 also affected the Gayo highlands region, which includes Bener Meriah Regency and Central Aceh as the main production centres for Arabica coffee. In addition to the loss of plants, he said, farmers also face the risk of declining harvest quality because plants affected by excess water tend to experience stress, thus affecting the formation of coffee fruits. Abu Bakar mentioned that changes in rainfall patterns are worsening the situation. Based on long-term data, there has been an increase in annual rainfall, but its distribution is uneven, so intense rain in a short time increases the landslide potential in hilly areas where coffee is grown. According to him, this condition also triggers an increase in pest and disease attacks, such as leaf rust and fruit borers, which further pressure production yields. Meanwhile, a coffee farmer in Wih Delung Village, Bale Redelong Subdistrict, Bener Meriah Regency, Zubaidah (59), admitted that part of her coffee plantation was damaged due to flooding accompanied by landslide material. “The morning after the incident, the plantation was already covered in soil and many plants were damaged,” said Zubaidah. She mentioned that out of her total 20 rante of coffee plantation, around eight rante were damaged. In addition to damaging the plants, the landslide material covers the soil surface and has the potential to disrupt land fertility, thus requiring a long time for recovery. Zubaidah added that access roads that were cut off for several days also hindered the distribution of plantation produce and the supply of farmers’ needs. Several farmers have begun recovery efforts by cleaning land buried in material and replanting damaged plants, although the process requires considerable costs and time. Farmers are also starting to implement adaptation measures such as using shade plants and intercropping systems to maintain soil moisture and reduce the risk of land damage. Abu Bakar assessed that with coffee as the main economic mainstay in the Gayo highlands, the impact of hydrometeorological disasters has the potential to affect regional production in the medium term if recovery is not carried out quickly.