ALKO Cooperative
In the shadow of Mount Kerinci, ALKO traceability coffee leads the way in empowering farmers and protecting nature. Combining agroforestry with blockchain technology, ALKO prevents encroachment into Kerinci Seblat National Park and supports livelihoods.
Traceability
Located near Sumatra's largest national park, home to the critically endangered Sumatran tiger, ALKO employs innovative traceability technology to prevent farmers from encroaching on the park and to support local livelihoods.
ALKO is a cooperative of over 400 farmers in the Kerinci region, where the farmers manage the collection and processing, sharing in the profits. By scanning the QR code on the coffee, you can not only see every stage of the supply chain, from the field to your cup, but you can also communicate directly with individual farmers.
Through the use of blockchain, ALKO has provided price transparency and increased the prices for coffee. Women play a key role in managing the process and in providing training and educational support to the farmers.
Harvest and process
The coffee is grown at 1300–1650 meters above sea level on rich volcanic soil, boasting a unique flavour profile with vibrant brightness. We offer ALKO coffees processed using either the honey or full-wash methods, to fully develop its exceptional flavour.
We selected honey and full wash processes to bring out its exceptional taste. The full-wash process involves fermenting the fruit with the addition of a water and washing stage, before they are dried for 10-15 days to a moisture content of 12-14%. Finally, they are dry-hulled, sorted and graded.
Honey processing involves fermenting the peeled red fruit for up to 30 hours without washing, before they are dried for 15-20 days to a moisture content of 12-14%. They are then dry-hulled, sorted and graded.
Community impact
The cooperative has enhanced the livelihoods of over 400 farmers in Kerinci by increasing prices, ensuring price transparency, and providing educational support. They've repurposed coffee waste as organic fertiliser, offered internships to farmers' children, and traded coffee for trash collected from Mount Kerinci. ALKO has also pioneered the use of traceability technology across Indonesia and beyond.
Reinvesting in conservation
Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP) has been on the "World Heritage in Danger" list since 2011, threatened by illegal logging, encroachment, and poaching. We've partnered with ALKO to champion coffee traceability and education, working to preserve this vital ecosystem and protect the Sumatran tiger. To further these efforts, 20% of profits from every coffee bag are reinvested into ALKO-led conservation projects, helping farmers scale their impact.