Smallholder Farmers Perception on Coffee Production under Geographical Indication Scheme

Abstract

Geographical Indication (GI) coffee production is an alternative that smallholder farmers can adopt to improve the quality of their coffee and provide an opportunity for farmers to increase their income. In terms of production standards, ease of implementation, and economic benefits, and intention to adopt, this article examines farmers perceptions of coffee production based on the GI s scheme. To answer the research question, we interviewed 178 farmers who were purposefully chosen to represent two coffee geographical indication areas: Sindoro-Sumbing Java Arabica coffee and Temanggung Robusta coffee. The perceptions of farmers toward geographical indication schemes were evaluated using quantitative analysis and correlation test. The results of this study show that farmers believe that (a) the geographical indication scheme as it relates to coffee production standards is well perceived by farmers; (b) the GI scheme is perceived not very favourably by the farmers based on the ease of implementation, which indicates that the farmers are not too sure about implementing coffee production standards based on the GI scheme; (c) farmers generally have a favourable perception of the GI s standards; and (d) farmers are enthusiastic or have a strong intention to implement GI-standards. As a result, more campaign and socialization are required to raise farmers enthusiasm for implementing the GI scheme.