Protecting Gibbon Habitats Through Sustainable Farming

Cultivating wildlife-friendly coffee

The Coffee and Primate Conservation Project (CPCP)  was set up by SwaraOwa with the aim of cultivating shade-grown coffee to conserve gibbon habitats, while ensuring economic benefits to the local villagers in the Pekalongan region. The result is the wildlife-friendly Owa Coffee. CPCP established relationships with farmers and over the years, these farmers have also become spokespersons for conserving forest habitats and protecting the Javan Gibbons. By engaging and collaborating with the local community and ensuring that their needs are not overlooked, the project has succeeded in merging economics and conservation, and continues to grow and expand. 

Mandai Nature supports SwaraOwa through funding of resources for fieldwork and surveys to ascertain primate populations, as well as outreach, education and initiation of the sustainable coffee and honey production projects that the team have spear-headed. It also supported the product development efforts of Owa Coffee by providing industry-level expertise to improve coffee quality and increase yield.

Securing sustainable livelihoods in communities

Aside from developing the wildlife-friendly Owa coffee, CPCP is also exploring other agro-forest friendly farming such as honey and palm sugar as well as playing an active role in capacity building among budding conservationists.   

CPCP’s efforts have no doubt thrived within the local communities. Over 25 families from more than four villages in Pekalongan region of Central Java are involved in efforts to conserve the Javan Gibbon in the region.  

With continued efforts, the hope is that Javan Gibbon numbers will increase and create more awareness for Indonesia’s unique biodiversity.