Climate-Resilient Coffee
2025-11-06 01:27:37

Indonesian University Consortium Promotes Climate-Resilient Coffee Farming in Japan

In a groundbreaking move toward sustainable agriculture, a consortium of Indonesian universities has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) focused on advancing climate-resilient coffee farming. This collaboration, facilitated by MRKS Intelligence Inc., aims to bridge the gap between Indonesia's innovative agricultural research and Japanese businesses, fostering a sustainable procurement model in the coffee sector.

Overview of the Consortium and Its Goals


The consortium, known as CiCoFest Coffee Indonesia, comprises national universities from four provinces in Indonesia, including Universitas Jember as the central hub. The consortium's primary objective is to achieve both mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the coffee production sector, especially focusing on smallholder farmers who form the backbone of coffee production in the region.

CiCoFest's research emphasis is on establishing a sustainable production model that integrates agroforestry and a circular economy approach. This model aims to harmonize environmental, social, and economic aspects of coffee farming to ensure the long-term viability of this vital agricultural practice.

Key Areas of Research and Development


The consortium is actively engaging in various research initiatives, highlighted by the following areas:
1. Carbon Assessment and Carbon Management: Collaborating institutions such as Universitas Jember, Tuk Umar University, and Borneo Tarakan University are studying carbon accumulation in coffee farms, particularly focusing on Robusta and Arabica varieties. Their research has already demonstrated a significant carbon absorption effect, with an average of 103.48 tons CO₂-e/ha being captured, alongside recommendations for optimal tree planting configurations that balance carbon absorption and productivity.

2. Circular Economy Model Development: Aiming to enhance the reusability of coffee by-products, this area of study involves composting and bio-char production from discarded coffee fruit and skins. Pajajaran University is at the forefront of this effort, currently working on a patented model named the 'Green Circular Economy'.

3. Decarbonization Policies and Renewable Energy: The consortium is experimenting with renewable energy sources such as solar power and waste-derived fuel, which could potentially reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 72%. This experimental phase is crucial for scaling sustainable practices in coffee production.

4. Policy Proposals and Societal Implementation: Collaboration with Indonesia's Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) ensures that research findings are translated into national policy documents, thereby influencing wider agricultural practices and legislation across the country.

The Role of MRKS Intelligence


MRKS Intelligence acts as the official liaison between CiCoFest and Japanese enterprises. This partnership allows Japanese companies to participate from the research phase, preparing them for sustainable procurement and carbon strategy development. MRKS proposes collaborative projects that enable businesses to support decarbonization efforts and agricultural innovations through technology cooperation, data sharing, and sponsorship opportunities.

Specifically, MRKS will facilitate matching sessions between participating universities and Japanese companies, organize informational meetings, and coordinate data sharing under non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) as necessary. This proactive approach ensures both parties can successfully collaborate on projects that contribute to ESG procurement goals and social responsibility strategies.

Conclusion


Through these initiatives, MRKS Intelligence stands as the official conduit connecting Indonesia's research networks with sustainable practices for Japanese businesses. This partnership signifies a pivotal step toward establishing a viable and environmentally friendly coffee production ecosystem, thereby enhancing the carbon value and circular economic framework in Indonesian agriculture. By leveraging the expertise of both local universities and Japanese companies, this collaboration is set to revolutionize the coffee industry, making it more resilient to climate change while promoting sustainable development.

Company Background


Company Name: MRKS Intelligence Inc.
Headquarters: Adachi-ku, Tokyo, Japan
CEO: Morihiko Sato
Established: September 2021
Business Focus: Business consulting primarily aimed at facilitating mutual entry between Japanese and Indonesian companies and organizations. Partner of Tokyo's Global South GX Promotion Project.
Website: mrks-int.com

CiCoFest Coffee Indonesia
Headquarters: Universitas Jember, East Java
Director: Dr. Elida Novita
Member Universities: Universitas Jember (East Java), Pajajaran University (West Java), Tuk Umar University (Aceh), Borneo Tarakan University (North Kalimantan)
Website: cicofest-coffee.com

Topics Consumer Products & Retail)

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