Location-specific cultivation techniques for Arabica coffee in Bener Meriah Regency

Abstract

Gayo coffee is one of the leading commodities originating from the Gayo Highlands, one of which is Bener Meriah Regency. The Gayo coffee commodity cultivated by farmers is Arabica coffee, consisting of Gayo 1, Gayo 2, and Gayo 3 clones. Arabica coffee has been developed by the Gayo community for many years with a continuous cultivation system throughout the year. This coffee farming business is relatively advanced, various introductions have been made, which are based on experience gained from generation to generation (location specific) so that it can affect the performance of the coffee farming business being cultivated. The use of cultivated land for years with a coffee cultivation system causes a decrease in land fertility, resulting in a decrease in coffee production. This study aims to determine the location-specific cultivation techniques for Arabica coffee in Bener Meriah Regency that have been carried out by farmers from generation to generation. The method used is descriptive quantitative analysis using survey methods. The survey method was conducted by conducting direct interviews with respondents, namely farmers who cultivate Arabica coffee. Respondents were determined through Stratified Random Sampling. The results showed were generally farmers using mixed varieties in one garden (59.34%), the spacing varied generally 2.5 meters x 2.5 meters (59.34 %), 82.42% used organic and inorganic fertilizers, only 5.49% used organic fertilizers and 12.09% used inorganic fertilizers. Organic fertilizers are sourced from composted coffee husks. Soil and water conservation measures carried out in coffee plantations are only vegetative methods, the type of shade is generally Lamtoro (Leucaena leucocephala) plants. Generally, herbicides were used for weed control (83.52%) and only 12.09% famers used pesticides to control plant pest organisms.