PPKGO, Indonesia

Gayo Organic Farmers Coffee Association (PPKGO), Indonesia

An organic cooperative located in the Gayo Highlands of the Aceh provinceof Sumatra, Indonesia, PPKGO has 1900 members, and an annual production of 99 containers. Established in 1997, the co-operative is ethnically diverse, and contains Gayo, Javanese, Acehnese, Padangand Batak peoples among it's membership.

This region is an environmentally sensitive buffer zone, with sanctuaries for endangered species such as the Sumatran tiger, as well as containing large amounts of political conflict. Coffee is trucked from the co-op's processing mill in Takengon to the portof Medanalong stretches of road where rebel attacks are commonplace.

What does Fair Trade mean for PPKGO?

"The value added from Fair Trade is not just about money, it is about protecting the ecosystem and our community. We are able to invest in infrastructure to improve our well-being. Thanks to Fair Trade, one of my children is now in medical school and the other is in midwifery school."

- Mohammed Salim, PPKGO member

The Fair Trade premium to goes towards improving resource conservation, sustainable agriculture and a credit union that gives out small loans to member families. It has helped with improvements to the water supply, local roads, mosques and schools, as well as agricultural diversification into vanilla, potatoes and bananas.

PPKGO mobilised relief efforts assisting those people in Aceh most severely affected by the earthquake-tsunami that struck Southeast Asiain December 2004. In this context, the Fair Trade price supported the co-operative's efforts to collect and distribute several tons of rice, vegetables, and crucial supplies to Banda Aceh in addition to extensive volunteer time and labour for relief work, build and repair 34 homes, and support orphans and widows in the community.