Surip Mawardi, Indonesian Coffee Hero: Writing Competition 2023 - Majalah Otten Coffee

“It’s very concerning; there is a paradox now because the downstream of coffee is very active; with various packages and polishes, it becomes “noisy”, but it’s quiet upstream,” said Surip Mawardi.

Prof. Dr. Ir. Surip Mawardi, S.U is an Indonesian coffee master of great talent. He is a former employee of the Pusat Penelitian Kopi dan Kakao (Puslitkoka), and he is also a coffee authority from Indonesia. He also serves as Starbucks FSC Indonesia’s head agronomist. In the Indonesian coffee industry, his name is very well known. Not only that, but he is also the founder of the Kelompok Tani Subak Abian (KTSA), a coffee cooperative that has aided in the empowerment of small-scale coffee farmers in Bali. He is also a coffee farmer, roaster, and businessman. Surip Mawardi has gained notoriety in the international coffee community as a result of his contributions to the sustained growth of the Indonesian coffee industry.

Early in the 1990s, Surip Mawardi began working in the coffee industry as a consultant for organic farming methods. Surip Mawardi became aware of the need for a more sustainable approach as a result of the widespread use of environmentally hazardous chemical pesticides and fertilizers by Indonesian farmers at that time. On his coffee plantation, he began testing organic farming practices. The quality of the coffee produced as a result can be clearly distinguished.

Surip Mawardi was motivated to assist other small-scale coffee farmers in Bali by adopting similar techniques after realizing the success of his organic farming practices. He established KTSA in 2002 to give small farmers a forum for discussion of available resources. Farmers can learn about organic farming methods and acquire marketing skills through the KTSA, which he founded, so they can sell their goods for a much better price.

The public has taken notice of Surip Mawardi’s efforts to advance organic farming methods and empower small-scale farmers. Due to his efforts to promote sustainable development, he received the Prince Claus Award in 2009. The prize honors people or groups whose cultural contributions advance development and recognizes those who use culture to address pressing social, economic, and environmental issues.

Surip Mawardi was able to create a niche market for Bali coffee with the aid of KTSA. With a strong emphasis on organic and sustainable practices, the cooperative is able to produce high-quality coffee that is quite alluring to customers who are willing to pay a premium price for coffee that is produced in a high quality manner. The cooperative has received recognition for its role in the growth of sustainable coffee in Indonesia. Surip Mawardi’s sustainable approach has made KTSA stand out in the Indonesian coffee industry.

International promotion of Indonesian coffee culture is another important task performed by Surip Mawardi. The Indonesian Trade Promotion Center’s “The Fascinating World of Coffee” program included an invitation for him to visit the United States in 2015. Surip Mawardi and other Indonesian industry experts in the coffee sector were able to show off local coffee varieties and production techniques to customers in the US.

Surip Mawardi always keeps a humble demeanor and his mission in mind, despite his success. Surip Mawardi’s dedication to community empowerment and sustainable development is what fuels his success in the coffee industry. Using the current coffee industry as an example, he has demonstrated how consumers can also benefit from sustainability and collaboration principles. His work emphasizes how crucial cultural preservation is to Indonesia’s economic growth. Additionally, he demonstrated that it is possible to produce high-quality goods, support the livelihoods of small-scale farmers, and safeguard the environment all at the same time. Many Indonesian coffee farmers have been motivated by his work to collaborate in order to accomplish their shared objectives.

[Artikel Nominasi Kopi Fest Indonesia Writing Competition 2023]

Gambar ilustrasi dari Otten.

Reference
SURIP MAWARDI : KOPI, BERISIK DI HILIR, SUNYI DI HULU. (2023, March 27). Media Perkebunan. http://mediaperkebunan.id/surip-mawardi-kopi-berisik-di-hilir-sunyi-di-hulu/

Surip Mawardi,  Kepala Agronomis Starbucks : Kopi Sumatera Itu Termahal di Dunia. (2019, July 27). Madina Pos. https://madinapos.com/2019/07/27/surip-mawardi-kepala-agronomis-starbucks-kopi-sumatera-itu-termahal-di-dunia/

Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia Gelar Sekolah Lapang Iklim (SLI) Operasional Kopi. (2023, March 22). Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia. https://itsi.ac.id/integrasikan-data-iklim-kembangkan-pertanian-kopi-institut-teknologi-sawit-indonesia-gelar-sekolah-lapang-iklim-sli-operasional-kopi/