Kemuning Forest Coffee – Another Potential Behind the Uniqueness of Temanggung Coffee

Besides being well known as a tobacco-producing region in Central Java, Temanggung Regency is also recognized for its export-quality coffee potential.

Some of its products have been processed into premium (specialty coffee) and have won awards in coffee competitions. For example, Muncar Gumuk robusta coffee won second place in the 7th Indonesian Specialty Coffee Competition held in Banyuwangi in October 2015, and Wonotirto arabica coffee won second place at the SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America) event in April 2016.

However, not all coffee-producing areas in Temanggung Regency have been developed into premium coffee or managed optimally. One example is the robusta coffee plantation in Kemuning Village, Bejen District. This coffee plantation is located under mixed forest stands managed by Perum Perhutani KPH Kedu Utara under a community-based forest management scheme (PHBM).

Most farmers in the area prefer to sell their harvest as raw beans to collectors in Candiroto District rather than processing it into ground or packaged coffee.

Mr. Bejo, the head of Kemuning Village, explained, “This condition is caused by the lack of capital and skills among farmers in processing coffee, as selling ground coffee requires more capital, labor, and a longer processing time.”

Another challenge faced by farmers is the variety of pests and diseases that attack coffee plants, leading to decreased production per hectare.

The coffee plantations under mixed forest stands in Kemuning Village—commonly referred to as Kemuning Forest—also have high biodiversity potential.

Various species of birds and primates can still be found here, including protected and even rare species. The combination of coffee plantations with high biodiversity is what makes Kemuning Forest unique.

However, this biodiversity is threatened by bird hunting conducted by both local villagers and outsiders.

Coffee plantation management is also not yet environmentally friendly. Clearing vegetation under coffee trees is not always done manually, and the use of pesticides and chemical inputs remains common due to considerations of cost, time, and labor.

In addition to cultivation practices that need improvement, there is one often overlooked factor in supporting coffee production: the role of birds. Birds act as natural predators of coffee pests that attack fruits, stems, and leaves.

This is highly beneficial for farmers in controlling insect populations and reducing crop damage. Birds also play an important role in pollination. Given their role, it is time to stop bird hunting in coffee plantations—whether using air rifles or traps.

Several sources also mention that pesticide use contributes to the decline of bird populations in coffee plantations. Pesticides disrupt food chains, leading to ecological imbalance.

Birds are indirectly affected by pesticide use. Insect-eating birds struggle during breeding seasons, especially when their eggs hatch, as their food sources have been eliminated by insecticides.

In addition, weed control using herbicides can kill or reduce bird populations that depend on certain grasses for nesting.

Embryo development in eggs can also be disrupted if exposed to chemicals, reducing hatching success.

Concerned about declining bird populations, the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) in Washington, D.C., established a program to promote appreciation, understanding, and protection of birds through the Bird Friendly Coffee certification.

This certification is awarded to organic coffee plantations assessed by SMBC scientists, aiming to protect birds and wildlife through forest-based farming systems.

Coffee plantations are chosen because coffee is one of the most widely traded commodities in the world. Plantation owners who wish to obtain certification must undergo inspection by SMBC.

Assessment criteria include organic management (no chemical inputs), the presence of shade canopy trees, and the existence of birds and wildlife within the plantation.

Once a coffee plantation passes certification, it can command premium prices in export markets by using the Bird Friendly Coffee label.

These premium prices reflect the additional costs associated with environmental conservation, including wildlife protection. Consumers who choose Bird Friendly Coffee are indirectly contributing to the conservation of birds and wildlife living in coffee landscapes.

Given the ecological uniqueness of Kemuning Village’s coffee plantations, there is great potential to achieve premium pricing through Bird Friendly Coffee certification and even to export independently.

How can this be achieved?

The answer is simple: stop hunting and manage coffee plantations organically.