Good governance and strong financial management system

After the tsunami (2004) an MOU (peace agreement) was signed between the separatists (GAM) and the local government in Aceh. This made it possible for investors to come back to the area and build up local businesses. On 16 March 2006 Koperasi Permata Gayo, a coffee cooperative, was established at Kampung Simpang Utama in Bener Meriah district, Aceh, Indonesia, by 50 farmers with 68 ha of coffee. Financial and logistic support came from an exporter (Mandago) at the beginning. Right now they have about 1,700 members. Since 2009 Permata Gayo exports coffee (green beans); 30% to Europe (to the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany) and 50% to the USA. The cooperative has a production of 3.750 m3 ton/year of organic coffee which come from area of 4.221 ha in Aceh (0.5 ha - 2 ha per farmer). They only buy coffee beans from their members, when they have contracts with oversee buyers. The cooperative started to sell also roasted coffee directly to hotels, unfortunately not with their own name or packaging. Still the coming years it is to be expected that the direct sales will expand further.