FISIP USU Supports Local Coffee Growth

From village fields to international markets, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) of Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) is helping coffee farmers in Desa Sinaman II, Sidamanik, Simalungun, improve product quality and expand global opportunities. Despite rich potential in coffee, horticulture, and local crafts, farmers face limited income due to traditional production methods and restricted market access. This initiative showcases how social science knowledge can create tangible community impact.

The program blends hands-on training, technology adoption, and mentoring. Farmers learn Good Agricultural Practices and operate modern equipment, including electric grinders and compact roasters with three-kilogram cooling airflow. These tools are expected to boost daily coffee production from fifty kilograms to between one hundred and one hundred fifty kilograms, while technical and machine handling skills increase by forty to fifty percent.

Business management is strengthened through coaching in financial recording, cost planning, organization, and marketing strategies. Digital marketing, attractive packaging, and identification of local and international markets extend the reach of Sinaman II coffee beyond traditional boundaries.

The initiative is led by M. Muhammad Arifin Nasution, Hatta Ridho, Sri Alem Br. Sembiring, Hafizhah Salsabila Harahap, and Nuri Jannaturrahmi Tambusai, with Desa Sinaman II as the main partner and technical support from the Tebing Tinggi Agriculture Department. Running from April to November, the project aims to increase farmers’ income, enhance product quality, and strengthen global competitiveness.

The program contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, supporting poverty reduction (SDG 1) through higher income, sustainable agriculture (SDG 2) with improved farming practices, and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) via entrepreneurial skills and market expansion. By integrating these goals, the project fosters social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

For the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences Universitas Sumatera Utara, the program highlights the application of academic knowledge in real-world community development. Students gain practical experience, leadership skills, and opportunities to implement theory, bridging education with meaningful social impact. This initiative sets a model for sustainable development while helping Sinaman II coffee farmers thrive in global markets.