West Bandung Regent's Hope: Global Reputation of Local Coffee Must Improve Farmers' Welfare

Bupati Bandung Barat Jeje Ritchie Ismail stated that the most significant aspect of the region’s coffee success is not the export volume, but the farmers’ struggle and self-reliance. He noted that West Bandung Regency coffee has proven its competitiveness in both domestic and international markets, with a recent shipment of 20.4 tonnes exported to four countries, including penetrating the Vietnamese market, which is known for its stringent standards. This achievement demonstrates that local farmers have elevated themselves to become independent global business actors through their own export initiatives. The regent stressed that the agricultural sector, particularly coffee, is a key driver of the local economy and must enhance food security and farmer welfare. This aligns with the national downstreaming policy, or ‘Asta Cita’, which focuses on adding value, effective management and marketing, and increasing productivity. Head of the Food Security and Agriculture Office, Lukmanul Hakim, added that the coffee sub-sector has shown very positive progress. The main cultivated varieties are Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica, with Arabica being the flagship commodity due to its smooth, slightly acidic taste and strong fruity and floral aroma. Currently, Arabica coffee cultivation covers 3,003.68 hectares, providing a livelihood for 3,238 farming families across 14 sub-districts. The region’s coffee quality is further bolstered by its Geographical Indication (GI) certification, covering three main mountain clusters.