By: Muzakir Hasbi
Ahead of the inauguration of the AMANAH program, President Jokowi strengthened his commitment to increasing local coffee productivity. Concrete support in developing the coffee industry in Aceh is one of the main focuses.
The program, known as Aneuk Muda Aceh Unggul dan Hebat, seeks to empower the young generation of Aceh while improving the quality of the coffee produced. One of the leading initiatives of the program is the Lamno Robusta Coffee nursery in Pante Keutapang Village, Jaya District, Aceh Jaya Regency. This effort shows the seriousness of the seventh President of the Republic of Indonesia in optimizing the potential of local coffee, which has become a leading commodity in the region.
M. Haris, a Robusta coffee cultivator in Aceh Jaya, said that the Lamno Robusta Coffee nursery has great potential to become a new economic center in the region.
The coffee has a distinctive taste that is loved by the people of Aceh and provides special benefits for consumers with a history of stomach acid disease. Support from the government, especially through the State Intelligence Agency (BIN), confirms the head of state’s commitment to advancing the coffee farming sector in Aceh.
The AMANAH program not only focuses on productivity, but also actively involves the younger generation. The youth in Pante Keutapang Village are trained in all processes, from seeding to caring for coffee plants.
They are encouraged to start their own coffee businesses. With the involvement of the younger generation, coffee farmers hope that Lamno Robusta coffee can be a driver of the local economy while opening up new business opportunities.
To date, the Lamno Robusta Coffee nursery has reached 43,000 seedlings from a target of 50,000 seedlings. As many as 3,000 seedlings have even been brought to the AMANAH Building which will soon be inaugurated.
This achievement is expected to have a significant positive impact on the economy of the Aceh Jaya community. Through various programs and activities implemented by AMANAH, the young generation of Aceh now has a great opportunity to contribute to the development of the local economy. These efforts not only have a positive impact on individuals, but also contribute to the overall economic growth of the region.
With the existence of coffee nurseries fully supported by the program, Lamno Robusta coffee is projected to become a superior product that can bring the name of Aceh Jaya to the national stage.
President Jokowi’s support for the program underscores his vision to improve the welfare of local communities through innovation and development of the agricultural sector. In addition, the program also aims to build an independent and entrepreneurial young generation.
Under the direction of President Jokowi and the support of the State Intelligence Agency, the AMANAH program is increasingly demonstrating its dedication to advancing the local economy with a focus on the coffee sector.
One of the important initiatives of the program is the Coffee Processing House located in the AMANAH Building, Ladong. The building that will soon be inaugurated is equipped with modern technology to process dried coffee beans. The results of processing in this facility are expected to be of high quality and ready to be marketed more widely.
The existence of the Coffee Processing House not only benefits millennial farmers, but also other local communities, including people with disabilities. Their involvement in this program shows that AMANAH does not only focus on the economic aspect, but also the social aspect in empowering the Acehnese people as a whole.
The waiter training held together with the Banda Aceh Productivity Vocational Training Center (BPVP) is one real example of this effort. In the training, participants with disabilities, including deaf friends, are trained to understand coffee thoroughly, from the planting process to serving. Thus, job opportunities in the coffee industry are increasingly wide open for them.
Ken Munthe, a coffee expert and training instructor, explained the training process that participants underwent. This training not only provides new skills for participants, but also opens up job opportunities in the coffee industry, both as waiters and baristas.
In addition, the AMANAH program has initiated various activities aimed at improving the skills of the young generation of Aceh in the coffee sector, including the Aceh Barista Champ 2024. This competition was held to promote Aceh coffee while encouraging local baristas to be ready to compete at the national level.
Head of the Banda Aceh Vocational and Productivity Training Center, Rahmad Faisal, expressed his hope for the youth in advancing Aceh’s specialty coffee to be more widely known. The Aceh Barista Champ activity is an extraordinary first step for Aceh’s youth to compete in national and international events.
With the newly built Coffee Processing House, Aceh’s coffee potential is increasingly wide open, while also becoming a center for economic, social and community skills empowerment.
In the future, the AMANAH program is expected to continue to innovate and expand its impact as part of President Jokowi’s legacy at the end of his term. With full support from the government and community involvement, this program is expected to provide real benefits to the entire community, especially the younger generation in Aceh.
These efforts reflect President Jokowi’s strong commitment to increasing local coffee productivity, while empowering communities for a better future.
*) Aceh Sharia Economic Researcher – Aceh Sustainable Sharia Economic Forum