Banda Aceh, Indonesia – 5 September 2025. For many Indonesian coffee farmers, planting a tree begins with what’s available: seeds from their own farms, neighbors, or local markets. While these seedlings often carry tradition and familiarity, they may not always carry the potential for high yield, disease resistance, or stable quality. Coffee researcher Surip Mawardi explains that this gap in seed quality is one of the biggest reasons why productivity in Indonesia remains far below its potential.        

The seed is the starting line

Across the country, the average coffee yield sits at around 750 kg per hectare per year. By contrast, in North Sumatra, farms that use improved seed and good agricultural practices can reach up to 2 tons per hectare — nearly three times the national average.

Why the difference? It starts with genetics. Improved seed, or “benih unggul”, is carefully selected for:

• High productivity,

• Stable cup quality, and

• Resistance to key pests and diseases.

When farmers plant seedlings from uncertified or mixed sources, results can be unpredictable — lower yields, higher losses to pests, and more money spent on inputs.

“Improved seed is not the only key, but it is one of the most important. Without it, even the best farming practices cannot reach their full potential,” said Surip.

Barriers in the field

If improved seed is so important, why don’t all farmers use it? Surip highlights three main barriers:

1. Awareness: Many farmers don’t yet realize how big the difference can be.

2. Availability: Certified seed and scions are often scarce or not locally distributed.

3. Affordability: For farmers with limited cash flow, investing in quality seed can feel out of reach.

These challenges mean that adoption of improved seed remains low, limiting both farm productivity and national competitiveness.

The case for action

For Indonesia to strengthen its position as a leading coffee producer, improving access to quality seed is essential. Addressing the barriers of awareness, availability, and affordability requires more than individual effort; it calls for coordinated initiatives that bring farmers, government, and industry together.

Programs such as seed distribution, community-based nurseries, and training on nursery management can directly support farmers who face these constraints. When these interventions are applied consistently, they not only raise yields and quality but also reduce long-term costs by lowering the need for pesticides and replanting.

From potential loss to potential gain

Today, Indonesia suffers from what Surip calls a “potential loss”: yields that fall short of what could be achieved if farmers had better starting material. Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam consistently outperform Indonesia in productivity, not because their farmers work harder, but because their seed systems are stronger.

The good news? This loss can be turned into gain. Every hectare planted with improved seed is an investment not just for the next harvest, but for the next 20 to 50 years of coffee production.

A message to the next generation

As new farmers and younger generations enter coffee, the message is clear: start with good seed.

“Let’s lift Indonesia’s coffee productivity and quality with improved seed. The two conditions are simple: the seed must come from proven genetics, and it must be healthy and vigorous. With that foundation, everything else — training, practices, innovation — can build on solid ground,” Surip stated.