Reviving the "Gold" of Tombo Coffee: Boosting the Economy and Preserving the Environment

Bhimasena Power, Batang Power Plant – Long before coffee became part of today's lifestyle trend, Tombo Village, Bandar District, Batang Regency, was already familiar with this commodity.

​Since the Dutch colonial era, Tombo has been known for its rich coffee heritage, which was once marketed internationally. Coffee became one of the backbones of local agriculture and a core part of the village's identity passed down from generation to generation.

​However, the journey of Tombo coffee did not always remain in its golden age. Increasingly fierce market competition and various challenges in commodity management caused coffee to be gradually displaced by other crops, including rubber and tea. Over time, the glory of Tombo coffee faded compared to its past heights.

​Today, the spirit to revive the potential of Tombo's "gold" is beginning to grow. The community, including the village's youth, has started viewing coffee not just as a legacy of the past, but as an economic opportunity with a promising future. At the same time, developing coffee is seen as something that can go hand in hand with environmental conservation, particularly in the Watershed Area (Daerah Aliran Sungai / DAS).

​This spirit was brought to life through a Technical Guidance (Bimbingan Teknis / Bimtek) workshop on Arabica Coffee Cultivation for Tombo Village farmers at Pondok Sidawung on Tuesday (August 11, 2026). This activity was part of the Sustainable Watershed Program (DAS Lestari), which promotes community economic development alongside sustainable environmental management.

​Farmers received practical knowledge on Arabica coffee cultivation, ranging from planting techniques to pest and disease management. Burohim and Anang from the Surjo Coffee Farmers group attended as speakers to share their experience and practical knowledge that can be applied directly in the fields.

​Enthusiasm was high throughout the event. Participants asked various questions, particularly regarding plant pests and diseases—one of the main challenges in maintaining coffee growth and productivity. For the farmers, this knowledge was not just training material; what they learned will be brought back to their farms to help care for their crops properly.

​One of the participants, Tarmujo, a coffee farmer in Tombo, said the training provided a clearer understanding of the stages of coffee cultivation.

​“For today’s training, everything from planting to the knowledge and handling of pests and diseases was very clear. Moving forward, I will apply and practice this in managing my coffee plants,” he expressed.

​The Head of Tombo Village, Mustajab, sees the farmers' enthusiasm as crucial momentum to re-strengthen coffee development in his village.

​“Alhamdulillah, the farmers were very enthusiastic about participating in this activity. Many questions were raised, and hopefully, the knowledge gained will support the successful development of Arabica coffee in Tombo Village. We hope that from this initial stage through implementation, everything goes well and impacts the community's economic growth,” he stated.

​This training on cultivation was followed up with seedling support. A total of 5,400 Arabica coffee seedlings were prepared to support planting on farmers' land.

​Based on a survey conducted by Region IV Forestry Branch Office under the Central Java Environment and Forestry Service (CDK IV) across 27 land parcels, the seedlings are scheduled to be distributed to 13 farmers for planting ahead of the rainy season.

​Interestingly, this development is not taking place by clearing new forest areas. All planting locations are situated on farmers' private land and outside forest zones. Consequently, coffee expansion is achieved without deforestation or forest encroachment.

​Instead, the coffee plants belong to the MPTS (Multi-Purpose Tree Species) category—crops that offer not only economic benefits through their yield but also ecological functions. These plants are expected to help maintain soil health, reduce erosion risks, and support the surrounding environmental ecosystem.

​Through this approach, coffee development in Tombo aims to bridge two equally vital interests for the community: increasing the economic value of the land while preserving its ecological function.

​This process is being carried out collaboratively, involving the Tombo Village Government, the Forest Village Community Institution (LMDH), CDK Region IV, and PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia (BPI).

​For BPI, the success of a community empowerment program requires more than just providing seedlings; farmers' knowledge and capacity must be strengthened so the community can manage this potential independently and sustainably.

​General Manager of Stakeholder Relations at PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia, Aryamir H. Sulasmoro, highlighted that capacity building is an essential component of program sustainability.

​“Support for the community isn't just about supplying seedlings, but also about how the farmers' knowledge and skills can continue to grow. Through this activity, we hope farmers have sufficient knowledge to cultivate Arabica coffee while managing their land sustainably,” he explained.

​As a follow-up to the workshop, farmers will also receive mentoring to ensure that seedling planting and maintenance follow the techniques and knowledge provided during training.

​As a result, the development process does not stop when the training session ends. Knowledge will be applied in the fields, seedlings will be planted and nurtured, and ongoing mentoring will help farmers overcome challenges as the crops grow.

​The journey to restore the glory of Tombo coffee will certainly not happen overnight. It takes time for seedlings to grow, for farmers to tend to them, and for the harvest to deliver economic benefits.

​Yet, this small step brings a grand hope: that the coffee that was once Tombo’s strength can reclaim its vital role in the lives of the community. Not by repeating the past, but by building a more sustainable future.

​Because for the people of Tombo, the "gold" of coffee is not just about the harvested fruit. It is about the economic value that grows in the hands of farmers, the knowledge passed on to the next generation, and the land that remains preserved for future life. (**)