Sumatra Koperasi Kopi Wanita Gayo

Founded in 2016, Koperasi Kopi Wanita Gayo (Kokowagayo for short) was formed as a sister cooperative to Permata Gayo, the women’s cooperative allowing them to take agency in their own economic circumstances. This is not common in Indonesia and is a huge step in balancing the gender roles played by producers in the country.

Based in the north of Sumatra in the valley and hills between lake Takengon and Bur ni Geureudong, the success of the cooperative has meant an increase in resources available to other women growers in the area as well as the creation of a community centre above the wet mill to be their own space for that education to take place.

Farmers deliver the “Gabah” which is wet parchment coffee with around a 45% moisture content. The Gabah is then dried for around a day prior to hulling. After hulling the “Labu” wet green bean at 30% moisture takes a further two days to become “Assalan” which has a 20% moisture content. Then the Assalan is transported to the main dry mill where it will be further dried for half a day to 13% as unsorted green bean which is then ready for grading and export.