Pesawaran, Lampung – Coffee farmers in Lampung, Indonesia, are pioneering a sustainable farming practice that relies on wild birds as natural pest controllers. This innovative approach not only reduces the use of chemical pesticides but also supports biodiversity conservation—making Lampung coffee more attractive to global markets.
Wild Birds as Natural Pest Controllers
In Pesawaran Regency, farmer groups under the SHK Lestari Farmers’ Association (Gapoktan SHK Lestari) are working with the Wan Abdul Rachman Grand Forest Park (Tahura WAR) Conservation Unit to integrate wild birds into their coffee ecosystems. By planting fruit and flowering trees among coffee plants, they create food sources that attract various bird species to the plantations.
According to Yanyan Ruchyansyah, Head of the Lampung Forestry Office, the presence of birds provides multiple ecological benefits. “Birds play a crucial role in controlling pests such as beetles and coffee stem borers, which damage leaves and cherries. They also act as pollinators and seed dispersers, maintaining the balance of coffee ecosystems,” he explained.
Towards Bird-Friendly and Sustainable Coffee
The initiative aligns with the global trend of bird-friendly coffee farming, where coffee is cultivated in harmony with wildlife conservation. Marison Guciano, Executive Director of Flight Indonesia Foundation, said that consumer demand is shifting. “Buyers are not only looking for premium coffee quality but also for coffee that protects biodiversity. Bird-friendly coffee offers both,” he said.
In recent years, Lampung has also become a major site for bird release programs. Hundreds of thousands of confiscated wild birds have been rehabilitated and released into protected forests, further strengthening local ecosystems.
Supporting Export Standards
Sustainability in coffee farming also supports Indonesia’s competitiveness in the international market. Heri Widodo of Lampung Quarantine Agency emphasized that coffee exports must comply with strict regulations, including zero pesticide residue. “Wild birds help farmers meet this requirement naturally, without relying on chemicals,” he explained.
Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
The program is supported by multiple stakeholders, including the Lampung Forestry Office, Quarantine Agency, BKSDA Lampung, BRIGIF 4 Marine Corps, local village heads, and NGOs. Eny Puspasari, Head of Tahura WAR UPTD, confirmed that bird-friendly coffee will be a collaborative effort across sectors to ensure long-term success.
Lampung Coffee for Global Markets
By integrating wildlife conservation with coffee cultivation, Lampung’s farmers are producing sustainable, eco-friendly, and export-ready coffee. This makes Lampung coffee not only a symbol of Indonesia’s rich biodiversity but also a competitive product for global coffee lovers seeking ethical and environmentally responsible choices.
