Koperasi Pedagang Kopi (KOPEPI) Ketiara, led by Chairwoman Rahmah Ketiara, is a pioneering Fair Trade coffee cooperative based across 19 villages in Sumatra's Bener Meriah and Aceh Tengah regions. Founded in 2008 and exporting since 2013, KOPEPI has built a strong reputation for ethical coffee production, community welfare, and environmental sustainability. With women making up 70% of its membership, the cooperative empowers its smallholder farmers by paying premium prices, distributing free seedlings for coffee, fruits, and rice during non-harvest months, and providing practical training on sustainable farming alongside wellness initiatives like aerobic fitness classes.

Building on this holistic approach, their latest initiative, Hutan coffee, was created in partnership with DRW to fund forest conservation in Sumatra. The coffee is sourced from smallholder farms across Bies, Gegarang, Jagong, and Bintang—areas renowned for their diverse Arabica varieties and varying altitudes that blend into a unique flavor profile. Beyond coffee production, the Hutan project actively advances agroforestry by planting native trees to restore the forest ecosystem, integrating income-generating shade crops like avocado, banana, orange, and durian to build long-term economic stability for local growers.

Through these combined efforts, KOPEPI Ketiara demonstrates how exceptional coffee production can go hand-in-hand with deep social and ecological responsibility. By driving sustainable farming, promoting gender inclusion, and funding local reforestation, the cooperative creates a lasting, positive impact for both the farming community and the surrounding environment.