Buy 1 Get 1 Tree
Farmers at the Koerintji Barokah Bersama Cooperative (KBBC) in Gunung Tujuh, Kerinci have identified deforestation and unsustainable farming practices as a significant threat to their coffee farming success. Through Farmgate Initiative, by buying a bag of KBBC coffee you’re also giving an avocado tree seedling to member farmers.
Sales of coffees from KBBC produced in 2022 contribute to this project. Due to the success of this project, all farmers who wanted avocado seedlings have received them and KBBC farmers requested that we contribute to a new agroforestry and compost project.
Sucafina and Rikolto, our implementing partner, have worked with KBBC to distribute over 1,600 avocado seedlings to cooperative members. Avocado trees are well adapted to the altitude and weather conditions in Kerinci. Shade-grown coffee is better for the environment, soil fertility and for farmers in the long run. Avocado trees also provide additional income and nutrition for families.
It costs $3.20 to purchase and raise one avocado tree seedling. For every bag of coffee from KBBC purchased, we contribute one avocado seedling to farmers.
In 2021, around 50% of seedlings survived after 1 year. Rikolto worked with farmers to determine the main risk factors. They found that lack of knowledge about tree maintenance and submersion during rain due to wrong bed preparation were the main reasons.
In 2022, Rikolto began addressing these issues. They distributed seedlings at an older age to increase survival and advised farmers to prepare beds with increased height to avoid submersion. Farmers also received training from the cooperative on seedling maintenance before receiving seedlings. In 2022, the 1-year survival rate increased to 95%.
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