The Women’s Union of Kayong Utara Regency (SETARA) organized a three-day Field School themed “Enhancing the Capacity of Women Farmers’ Groups” from June 24–26, 2025. The program, which brought together 90 participants from six villages across two subdistricts, aimed to strengthen the role of women farmers in the coffee sector.
The Field School applied a combined learning model — classroom sessions led by experts and direct field practice — held across three rotating village locations.
Day 1 – Developing Local Coffee Seed Varieties
On June 24, 2025, the first session took place in Telaga Arum Village, Seponti Subdistrict. Participants received training on the development of high-quality local coffee seedlings.
The event was officially opened by Seponti Subdistrict Head Kasianus, accompanied by Telaga Arum Village officials, including Government Section Head Nugroho Aji, and representatives from Gemawan: Ridho Faizinda, Maulisa, Dea, and Weli Arma.
Participants came from Podorukun, Wonorejo, Seponti Jaya, and Telaga Arum (Seponti Subdistrict), as well as Banyu Abang and Masbangun Villages (Teluk Batang Subdistrict).
Day 2 – Post-Harvest Innovation and Product Diversification
The second day, June 25, was held in Seponti Jaya Village, focusing on post-harvest processing training.
Participants learned about product diversification, including coffee powder packaging, processed beverages, and coffee-based cosmetics. The session also covered branding, marketing strategies, and packaging design — essential skills to increase product value and reach broader markets.
Day 3 – Organic Composting for Sustainable Farming
The final day, June 26, took place in Wonorejo Village, where Weli Arma and Iwan Kojal facilitated a hands-on session on organic composting using agricultural waste.
This training helped participants understand how to reduce production costs while promoting sustainable agricultural practices through waste recycling.
Support and Impact
The program received full support from the Dana Nusantara Fund (Danus Fund), which provided funding for training activities, agricultural demonstration plots, construction of coffee production facilities (seed houses and drying areas), and procurement of production tools.
Post-Training Hopes and Reflections
SETARA Chairperson Waliyah Badaryati expressed her gratitude for the support:
“This grant is a great blessing for us. The training has been a valuable opportunity to improve the capacity of women farmers in the coffee sector. We are optimistic that it will boost the income of SETARA members and the wider Kayong Utara community,” she said.
Maulisa, Head of the Creative Economy Division at Gemawan, emphasized that Danus Fund support represents an important investment in economic empowerment and environmental preservation:
“Liberica coffee from Kayong Utara was once a regional gem known internationally, but its cultivation has declined. Through this Field School, we hope not only to improve farmers’ welfare but also to restore coffee plantations and prevent land conversion into monoculture estates,” she explained.
With the successful implementation of the SETARA Women’s Field School, the organization is ready to strengthen women’s roles across the agricultural value chain and drive the development of sustainable and inclusive local coffee production in Kayong Utara.
Author: Febby Kartikasari
Editor: Ersa Dwiyana