The Arfak Mountains are a boon for West Papua because they have so much potential. Being located at an altitude of 2,900 meters above sea level, making these mountains suitable for planting coffee.
The government and residents named it Arfak Coffee. What are the characteristics of this Arfak coffee?
Getting to know Arfak Coffee
The kind of Arfak coffee is Arabica coffee. Arabica is the most liked coffee abroad, so naturally, the West Papuan government glances and targets it as an export commodity.
Arabica is very good at growing at 1000-2000 meters above sea level, so it is very appropriately cultivated in the Arfak Mountains. Arabica will grow well and have good quality beans with that height.
Arfak coffee has a typical Arabica coffee bean shape, slightly elongated, flat, and large. What is unique about this plant is that the taste of the coffee beans will be affected by the surrounding plants. If the surrounding area is planted with fruit trees, Arabica will also have a fruity flavor and aroma.
Caffeine in Arabica is also low. The taste is not bitter, slightly sour, and sweet. To enjoy it, you do not need to add sugar. Just brew it and drink it straight away. Then you’ve got a good taste of coffee. Arabica has a low acid content, so it is safe for ulcer disease.
Arfak Coffee As A Target Export Commodity From West Papua
Drinking coffee has become a trend in the last five years, followed by the proliferation of modern coffee shops and cafes. Coffee is usually a drink for older men, but now young people are starting to taste it.
The demand for coffee has also increased, both domestically and abroad. This caused the West Papuan government to look at coffee as a commodity and even target it to export.
Having natural potential such as Mount Arfak, which has fertile soil, made the government cultivate coffee in this area. By inviting residents to join together to grow coffee on their land.
The invited farmers are selected based on the character suitable for the coffee plant growth, such as altitude, air temperature, and rainfall.
The altitude is around 1500 m above sea level, the average air temperature is 27 degrees Celsius, and the rainfall is above 100 mm, which are requirements for the location for the growth of Arabica plants.
Farmers are provided with coffee seeds and are also taught how to farm coffee. The people’s enthusiasm in Anggi district, Arfak Mount, has increased coffee farming efforts.
This is the right momentum for the government and the people to develop their regions and improve their economy jointly.
To harvest coffee beans planted today takes about 3-4 years, and the peak harvest is when the plants are 7-9 years old. During that time, farmers are still being guided so that the coffee beans produced are of good quality.
The estimated yield is around 2000 kg/ha/year. This is still a tiny amount, especially if you want to export these coffee beans. For this reason, the local government does not stop looking for suitable farmers and areas to continue to be developed as coffee farming fields.
The Arfak Mountains have also been designated by the West Papuan government as a center for coffee cultivation. The government wants all coffee cultivation to be concentrated in the Arfak mountains. It is the local government’s homework to consistently build this mountainous area.
