Indonesia Flores Blue Komodo Dragon

Flores is one of the lesser-known Sunda Islands, located in the Eastern half of Indonesia and home to Indonesia’s Komodo National Park, one of the new 7 Wonders of the World. The National Park was founded in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon and since, other marine species have recently been included. Flores has a burgeoning specialty coffee sector supported by the local government, the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI). This Fair Trade, Organic and Rainforest Alliance certified Blue Flores coffee is grown primarily by smallholder farmers of the Bajawa (Ngada) and Manggarai ethnic groups living in the volcanic highland area.

Farmers traditionally grow coffee under shade trees. These shade trees and other conservation agroforestry practices protect the surrounding jungle and its myriad exotic ora and fauna. With dedicated farmer groups, ICCRI providing farmer training and quality control support, and PT. Indokom Citra Persata focusing on shortening the marketing chain from farm-gate to exporter, the future of specialty coffee on the island of Flores is looking very bright.