Through the Higher Education Revitalization Program, PPNP Boosts Farmers' Economy with Coffee Crops

Limapuluh Kota - As a campus based on agricultural education, the Payakumbuh State Polytechnic of Agriculture (PPNP) is boosting the community's economic growth through the agricultural sector. One of the current focus areas is the coffee industry. Since ancient times, West Sumatra has been widely recognized as one of the prominent coffee-producing regions in the archipelago.

To strengthen the coffee ecosystem in West Sumatra, PPNP organized a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) through the Higher Vocational Education Revitalization program. Within November, two FGD sessions were held at the Session Hall 1, 4th floor of the PPNP Directorate Building in Tanjung Pati, Harau District, Limapuluh Kota Regency.

The first FGD, held on Wednesday and Thursday of last week, featured a coffee farmer from the Gayo land of Aceh as the keynote speaker. On Wednesday, 26/11/25, the second FGD was conducted at the same location, bringing together various coffee enthusiasts—ranging from farmers to coffee shop operators. This session featured two prominent speakers well-known in the coffee business both in West Sumatra and nationally. Additionally, various stakeholders were invited, providing a strategic discussion space to align efforts for developing coffee derivative products, which have previously been considered suboptimal. Participants showed great enthusiasm, actively participating from the morning until the discussion sessions.

This second FGD (FGD II) invited representatives from the local government of Lima Puluh Kota Regency, including the Department of Food Crops and Horticulture, the Department of Cooperatives, and the Regional Planning, Research, and Development Agency (Bapelitbang). Also in attendance were farmers' groups, coffee industry associations and actors, coffee shop owners, and mass media representatives.

Budi Febriandi, the Secretary of the PPNP State Vocational Higher Education Revitalization Program, opened the event and emphasized the critical importance of cross-sector collaboration to enhance the value-added potential of regional coffee commodities. According to Budi, the FGD serves not only as a forum for exchanging ideas but also as a meeting point connecting vocational education institutions, local governments, business actors, and coffee farmers.

"We hope this forum generates concrete concepts and partnerships to accelerate innovation and boost the potential of the coffee derivative industry in West Sumatra," he stated. He added that PPNP is committed to serving as a bridge between industrial needs and academic capacity, particularly through the coffee Teaching Factory (TEFA) that has been under development over the past few years. "Synergy among all elements is highly required so that the transformation of the coffee sector can run more effectively," he continued.

Presentations by the Speakers

The FGD featured two main speakers who are actively involved in developing the local coffee industry.

Tejo Pramono, the Founder of Rumah Kopi Rajin, delivered a presentation on "The Role of Media and Branding in Enhancing the Attractiveness of Local Coffee Products". Tejo emphasized that branding is no longer just a complement but a core necessity if local coffee wishes to compete in the modern market. He outlined strategies for strengthening product image, leveraging digital media, and understanding consumer behavior, which has become increasingly visual and trend-driven.

Hanafi Rusianda, Founder of Fianda Coffee, presented on "Industrial Collaboration with Coffee TEFA: Accelerating Innovation and Product Commercialization". He stressed the importance of a close relationship between universities and the industry so that innovations do not stall inside laboratories. According to Hanafi, the coffee TEFA must act as a catalyst that accelerates product experimentation, market testing, and more aggressive commercialization. "The industry needs fast innovation, and the campus needs standard facilities. If these two are brought together, the coffee ecosystem will soar," he asserted.

Dynamic Discussion and Field Challenges

Following the presentations, a dynamic discussion took place. Farmers, MSME actors, coffee associations, and government officials actively raised questions regarding branding strategies, TEFA development, and commercial opportunities for coffee derivative products. Several participants even shared real challenges faced in the field, ranging from limited post-harvest equipment to the lack of local product promotion in digital markets. All of this input was compiled by PPNP to serve as a recommendation framework for developing the regional coffee sector.

This FGD II is a continuation of PPNP's series of revitalization programs aimed at strengthening vocational competence in the agro-industrial field. At the end of the discussion, participants from all elements were asked to share their hopes, roles, and mutual commitments toward the shared aspirations of coffee development.

The participants expressed their hope that the results of this discussion could serve as a reference for local governments and industry players in mapping out strategic steps for coffee development in West Sumatra. The FGD was deemed a crucial momentum to elevate local coffee, turning it not just into a raw commodity, but into highly competitive derivative products at national and global levels.