About the cooperative

Asosiasi Kopi Gayo Organik (ASKOGO) sources coffee from 13 villages in the highlands of the Aceh Tengah and Bener Meriah provinces in northern Sumatra, Indonesia.

The people in these remote villages rely on agriculture for both livelihood and to feed their families. Their main income comes from coffee however, it is not without its challenges. On top of soil fertility suffering in recent years due to heavy rain, they have tough competition from conventional coffee farmers in the region. The producers must keenly search out a Fairtrade market for their organic coffee in order to receive a minimum price to support their families.

Sales from the Oxfam fair’s best selling World Blend range have been able to contribute to ASKOGO’s invaluable income, ensuring they receive the minimum Fairtrade price for their harvest.

• • > Upgrade technology and improve productivity which will lead to higher quality and better fetch prices

  • > Purchase composting equipment to re-use the waste from producing coffee

  • > Purchase cows and use the manure to improve the quality of the soil and support their organic production system, and provide milk to sell at the markets

  As a result, ASKOGO are able to produce a beautifully complex, earthy coffee with notes of cedar, molasses, ginger, dark chocolate, caramel, and a hint of fruitiness, reminiscent to the surroundings.