Kopi

A. General Overview of Coffee Plants

Coffee is one of the most traded plantation commodities in the world. Coffee cultivation is spread across various regions such as Latin America, Central America, Asia-Pacific, and Africa, while its main consumers are in European and North American countries. This makes coffee a highly active commodity in the global market. Coffee is a perennial plant that can remain productive for up to 20 years. To start coffee cultivation, it is essential to carefully select the plant variety. The success of coffee farming is influenced by various factors, including plant type, cultivation techniques, post-harvest handling, and marketing of the final product. Coffee plants have strong taproots, making them resistant to falling.

B. Growth & Development Requirements

1. Climate
   Optimal rainfall ranges from 1500-3500 mm per year, with a dry period of up to three months.
2. Soil Conditions (Altitude and Soil Type)
   In general, coffee requires loose soil rich in organic matter. To enhance soil fertility, it is recommended to apply organic fertilizers around the plant area. Arabica thrives in soil with an acidity level of 5-6.5 pH, while Robusta prefers 4.5-6.5 pH.​

   1. Arabica: Grown at altitudes above 1000 meters above sea level (highlands).

   2. Robusta: Grown at altitudes of 40–900 meters above sea level (midlands).

   3. Liberica: Grown at altitudes of 0–40 meters above sea level (lowlands).

3. Varieties
   The Coffea genus has around 100 species, but only two hold significant commercial value: C. canephora (Robusta coffee) and C. arabica (Arabica coffee). Other varieties like C. excelsa and C. liberica are used as blending ingredients to influence aroma. Variety selection depends on land elevation. Arabica is suitable for altitudes above 800 meters, Robusta for 400-800 meters, and Liberica or Excelsa for lowlands. Arabica generally fetches higher prices than Robusta, although Robusta has higher productivity and yield. Examples of Arabica varieties include S 795, USDA 762, Kartika-1, and Kartika-2, while Robusta varieties include clones like BP 42 or BP 358.

C. Nutrient Requirements and Fertilization for Coffee Plants

• ​Fertilizer is applied twice a year, at the beginning and end of the rainy season. 
• Before fertilizing, weeds around the stem should be cleared, and fertilizer should be spread 30–50 cm from the stem.
• After application, the fertilizer is covered with soil. Seedling fertilization can be done in bulk by dissolving the fertilizer, allowing it to be combined with irrigation.

D. Fertilization Dosage

1. Organic Fertilizer:
   Organic fertilizers can come from materials around the plantation, such as plant residues or coffee husks processed into compost. The required amount is around 20 kg per plant, applied once every 1-2 years. In soils with a pH below 4.5, fertilizer should be mixed with half a kilogram of lime. Ground cover plants like Mucuna munanease and legumes (Arachis pintol) can be used to enrich organic matter in the plantation area.
2. Inorganic Fertilizer:
   This fertilizer contains a high amount of nutrients that are quickly available to plants. Inorganic fertilization is used for rehabilitation and maintaining continuous production. Inorganic fertilizers include single fertilizers (urea, SP36, MOP/KCL, etc.) and compound fertilizers (NPK). Fertilizer is spread beneath the plant disc according to the growth phase.

E. Data Source

• ICRAF: [worldagroforestry.org](http://www.worldagroforestry.org/regions/southeast_asia)
  
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