Sumatra Kerinci Koerintji Barokah Bersama Cooperative - Natural Espresso

The cooperative was founded in mid-2017. Triyono is the leader of the cooperative; he manages members in processing and roasting their own coffee. They have a fully outfitted roasting facility, including a cupping lab, next to the dry mill.
The Koerintji Barokah Bersama Cooperative lives and farms on a plateau that sits at the foot of Mount Kerinci on the island of Sumatra. Mount Kerinci is one of the many volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Historic eruptions have assured that the surrounding area is lush and verdant, thanks to the deep supply of fertile volcanic soil.

During the harvest season, coffee is handpicked, with labour usually supplied by the immediate family. There are more and more initiatives by farmers on Sumatra to organise themselves into cooperatives. In the past, farmers did not have much leverage to help themselves get better prices for their cherry or parchment.

When they're in cooperatives, they can share resources, organise training and negotiate better prices. Farmers receive fair prices for their cherry and have a fixed buyer for their cherries. The coop's profit at the end of the year is either invested in infrastructure to improve quality or is shared with the producers.