Identifying the Level of Sustainability of Arabica Coffee Farming: Insights from Three Districts of Ainaro, Ermera, and Liquisa in Timor-Leste

Abstract

Objective: analyze the sustainability of Arabica coffee farming in the three districts of Ainaro, Ermera, and Liquisa.   Theoretical framework: This review examines tourism as a comprehensive, multidimensional activity involving travelers, local communities, governments, and entrepreneurs. Indonesia's Law No. 10 of 2009 underscores its pivotal role in economic growth, poverty reduction, cultural preservation, and international collaboration (Sharma et al., 2008; Frey & George, 2010; GhulamRabbany et al., 2013; Ibnou-Laaroussi et al., 2020; Raftopoulos, 2020).   Method/design/approach: This research was conducted in nine sub-districts which took place in three districts from January 2021 to January 2022. Sampling/respondents were taken randomly from as many as 180 farmers. The data obtained were analyzed using the Multi-dimensional Scaling (MDS) purposive sampling approach, namely the development of farming is less profitable for farmers because the income per month for arabica coffee is approximately U$. 140.98 and for Arabica coffee (stem) income per month is U$. 439,68, which is far below the Ermera district Timor Leste Minimum Wage (MW) of US$. 243.55 per month.   Results and conclusion: Development of natural and organic arabica coffee farming based on 6 (six) namely ecological dimension, economic dimension, socio-cultural dimension, clean energy technologies, unsustainable legal and institutional dimension.   Research implications: The implications of the above study highlight the challenges faced by farmers in the sub-districts and districts under examination during the period from January 2021 to January 2022. These findings indicate that agricultural development, particularly in the cultivation of arabica coffee, results in less profitable income for the farmers. As such, this research reveals the financial difficulties experienced by farmers in the context of arabica coffee cultivation. The implication is the need for strategies and concrete steps to enhance the profitability of coffee farming and improve the well-being of the farmers. This may involve efforts to increase productivity, improve access to better markets, or implement more profitable agricultural practices. Through these means, it is hoped that the economic well-being of the local farming community can be elevated.