Description
KOKOWAGAYO is the first all-women’s cooperative in Sumatra. While women carry key roles in coffee production, they are traditionally excluded from economic decisionmaking. A group of bold women formed this all-women’s cooperative to give economic power to female coffee growers. KOKOWAGAYO strives to increase the role and capacity of women in coffee farm and financial management. This group of business-oriented women are paving the way for redefinding gender norms in Sumatra.
Permata Gayo supports its sister cooperative with training and export services, guaranteeing consistent and exceptional quality. While the concept of an all-women’s cooperative in the region is innovative in the primarily Muslim Ache region, it is a natural progression as girls receive equal education and women business leaders become increasingly prevalent.
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Finding their voices unheard at a mixed-gender cooperative, the women of the Kokowagayo cooperative separated their coffee from the men’s in 2014 and began the first women-only cooperative in Sumatra. These women knew they would make more community-focused decisions than the men when deciding where to allocate the Fair Trade premiums. To further drive women-controlled funds to their families and communities, and to nurture space where women can share their ideas and wield exclusive decision-making power, the women of Kokowagayo started the Café Femenino Sumatra Program in 2015.
While women in Sumatra have always carried key roles in coffee production, they had been excluded from economic decision-making. By taking the bold step of creating their own women-only cooperative and joining Café Femenino, the women not only earn more money for their hard work, they also have the ability to decide where the money goes. Since starting the Café Femenino Sumatra Program, the women have used their increasing resources to, among other things, offer leadership and financial training to women coffee farmers, set aside capital for women’s entrepreneurial efforts, and even build a community center above their wet mill to provide a safe space for women to congregate to learn new skills.
Sorting for density.
Final hand sorting.
KOKOWAGAYO (KOPERASI KOPI WANITA GAYO)
Gayo Women’s Coffee Cooperative
Country: Indonesia, Sumatra
Region/area: Northeast corner of Aceh
Number of Producers: 476 women coffee farmers
Average Farm Size: 1 hectare
Certifications: Fair Trade, Organic
Exporter: Sumatera Permata Gayo
Founded: 2014
jacylee24 (verified owner) –
Favorite blend by far, I buy 5 lbs at a time it’s that good
Katy Compton (verified owner) –
This is my favorite roast from Kaladi, and I’ve tried a lot! I find the flavor rich and comforting. It’s also good over ice!
Terri (verified owner) –
Awesome coffee! anxiously waiting for it to return!