In 2005, USAID began a program that transformed the Baitul Qiradh Baburrayyan coffee cooperative in the Gayo Highlands region of Aceh province into a successful producer and exporter of premium Indonesian coffee.
For decades, Aceh was the center of a violent separatist conflict that made it difficult for coffee farmers in the Gayo Highlands region to bring their product to market. On December 26, 2004, the Indian Ocean tsunami struck Aceh, causing immense devastation to coastal regions of the province. The tsunami – which killed more than 160,000 people in Aceh – gave urgency to peace talks, catalyzing an end to the conflict and opening the door to renewal of the local economy.
As part of more than $400 million provided by the United States to assist Indonesia’s recovery from the disaster, USAID partnered with the U.S.-based National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA) to support the growth of the Baburrayyan cooperative. Together, USAID and NCBA trained more than 7,000 farmers in organic coffee production and sustainable farming practices, addressing both environmental sustainability and market demands. To facilitate replanting efforts, USAID distributed over six million coffee seedlings, giving farmers the resources they needed to rebuild their plantations.
Equipped with improved agricultural and business practices, the farmers were able to pass the stringent audit process to qualify for organic and Fairtrade certifications. Strengthened by these new credentials, the cooperative’s farmers were able to sell their coffee beans abroad at premium prices. Through partnerships with international buyers like Starbucks – which now purchases about 85 percent of the coffee produced at Baburrayyan – Gayo coffee has become recognized globally for its quality.
“Gayo coffee is now our region’s signature. Income from coffee is well spread across the community,” says Rizwan Husin, the leader of the Baburrayyan cooperative. “So many people come here to buy coffee. That’s the extraordinary change we experienced.”
Since USAID began assisting Baburrayyan, its exports have grown from about four shipping containers of coffee per year to almost 100 containers, generating more than $20 million in revenue in 2022-2023.
Baburrayyan’s growth from a small coffee producer to a global exporter illustrates the lasting impact of USAID’s post-tsunami support for the livelihoods of people in Aceh. Today, Gayo coffee stands as a symbol of recovery and resilience.
