SwaraOwa Foundation
Petungkriyono, Central Java
SwaraOwa Coffee, led by local primatologist Arif Setiawan, is transforming former hunters and loggers into sustainable coffee farmers under the forest canopy to protect the habitat of the Javan gibbon. This project not only focuses on conservation, but also emphasises the empowerment of the women participating in the coffee production process.


Wildlife-Friendly®️ gibbon coffee
Certified Wildlife Friendly® kopi Owa, or "gibbon coffee," is a conservation initiative led by the SwaraOwa Foundation under the guidance of local primatologist Arif Setiawan, who has spent decades researching and protecting the habitat of the endangered Javan gibbon.
The kopi Owa project emerged from the realisation that the most effective way to preserve the gibbon’s habitat is by working closely with local communities, helping them to create small and medium enterprises adjacent to the forest of the Javan gibbon habitat. By helping former hunters and loggers transition to sustainable coffee farming, the project has successfully created a solution that benefits both people and wildlife.
Exceptional robusta coffee
Grown at altitudes of 400-500 masl in the Petungkriyono Forest, SwaraOwa has succeeded in raising the quality of their robusta coffee to specialty grade. The coffee plants are cultivated under diverse shade conditions, including native forest (rustic) and traditional polyculture systems, all without the use of chemical fertilisers.
Challenging perceptions of robusta coffee as being lower quality to arabica, it offers an exceptionally clean cup with rich notes of chocolate, spice, clove, and vanilla.
Transforming lives and empowering women
Owa coffee production involves five villages, represented by the Sokokembang Farmer Group, the Tinalum Coffee Group, and the Setipis Coffee Group in the Petungkriyono sub-district, as well as the hamlets of Mendolo and Sawahan in the Lebakbarang District. Each group comprises 5 to 12 families.
SwaraOwa (in Bahasa meaning "gibbon voice") has transformed former hunters and loggers into sustainable coffee farmers, providing them with training to cultivate and process high-quality coffee. The project also empowers women, who play a crucial role in the production process, ensuring the coffee meets international standards and providing them with economic opportunities.
Reinvesting in conservation
To support ongoing conservation, 20% of profits from each bag of Swara Owa Coffee are reinvested into the project, funding research on the Javan gibbon, and ensuring sustainable forest management. By choosing SwaraOwa Coffee, you’re contributing to the preservation of one of the world’s most endangered primates and their incredible habitat.