Empowering Coffee Farmers in Medalsari Village, Karawang through Environmentally Friendly Coffee Production

Abstract

The Coffee Farmers Group in Medalsari Village, Karawang Regency, has great  potential in robusta coffee cultivation, yet its economic contribution remains limited due to inadequate production facilities, traditional farming techniques, and the absence of product quality standards. This community service program aimed to empower farmers by improving management capacity and applying environmentally friendly and sustainable coffee production techniques. The implementation method included socialization, training, technology adoption, mentoring, evaluation, and program sustainability. Socialization was carried out using participatory approaches, while training combined technology transfer and hands-on practice. Introduced technologies included coffee huller machines, dryers, and roasting machines, as well as the application of organic fertilizers and mulches to reduce dependence on chemical inputs. The results showed a significant increase in farmers’ knowledge, with the average pre-test score of 61% rising to 92% in the post-test. Farmers also began implementing soil conservation practices, composting coffee husks, and using disease-resistant varieties. The program effectively improved production quality, strengthened farmer group capacity, and promoted sustainability through collaboration with the university. In conclusion, this program successfully enhanced farmers’ knowledge, skills, and adoption of eco-friendly technologies in robusta coffee production, thereby supporting the competitiveness of Karawang coffee in broader markets.