A Coffee Story from Manggarai
I arrived in Manggarai, Flores, with the aim of documenting the journey of the famous Arabica and Robusta coffee from this region. Manggarai has a long history in the coffee world, and I was excited to embark on this adventure.
I met Yosep Janu, chairman of MPIG (Society for the Protection of Geographical Indications) Flores Manggarai Arabica Coffee. He leads 42 farmer groups spread across three districts: Manggarai, West Manggarai, and East Manggarai. Yosep explained that MPIG is a state-recognised institution responsible for maintaining the quality and authenticity of Manggarai coffee.
Yosep said that coffee was first planted in Manggarai in 1937 by Dutch missionaries. Over time, the coffee developed and spread throughout the Manggarai region. Manggarai coffee has a good reputation because its quality has been maintained from generation to generation.
I visited several coffee plantations in East Manggarai. Farmers here grow Arabica and Robusta coffee with dedication. Despite challenges such as climate change and the age of the plants, the farmers’ spirits remain high. They continue to strive to maintain the quality of the coffee they produce.
I met Ardi Yahdian, founder of Ontosoroh Coffee. Ontosoroh Coffee has been established since 2015 and focuses on exporting Indonesian coffee to the global market. Ardi spoke about the importance of introducing Manggarai coffee to the world and supporting local coffee farmers to get a fair price.
Ardi explained that one of the main challenges for coffee farmers is unfair pricing. Ontosoroh Coffee is trying to change this situation by promoting high-quality coffee from Indonesia, including Manggarai coffee. They want to ensure that farmers get a fair reward for their hard work.
I also met Lodovikus Vadirman, an important figure in the Manggarai coffee community. Lodovikus emphasised the importance of collaboration between farmers and various institutions. According to him, this collaboration brings many benefits, such as increased knowledge about coffee, management, and household economic management.
Lodovikus spoke of the cooperation between farmers and organisations like Rikolto that provide facilities and training. Facilities such as pulper machines and drying racks are very helpful to farmers in improving the quality of their coffee. With this collaboration, even small farmers can process their coffee to a high standard of quality.
At the end of my trip, I reflected on the stories I heard and the experiences I witnessed. Climate change and other challenges may threaten the future of Manggarai coffee, but with support from various parties, there is hope that Manggarai coffee will continue to thrive and be recognised around the world
This journey gave me a new perspective on the struggle and dedication of the coffee farmers in Manggarai. I hope to tell their stories through the lens of my camera, so that the world can better appreciate the coffee they enjoy every day.
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