Reviving Indonesia’s Black Pepper: Harris Spice Leads the Way
A Five-Year Commitment to Sustainable Change
Over the past five years, Harris Spice has worked hand in hand with farming communities in southern Sumatra to revive Indonesia’s black pepper legacy. Through the Organic Pepper Project—a $500,000 partnership with GIZ, PT Mitra Agro Usaha Perkebunan, and local cooperatives—we’ve helped farmers adopt organic practices, improve yields, and secure certification for export.
The result is more than premium pepper; it’s a stronger, fairer agricultural economy built to last.
Watch our video above showcasing the scope and impact of our Organic Pepper Project.
Empowering Farmers Through Training and Certification
More than 1,000 farmers in Lampung have worked with Harris Spice to adopt regenerative practices that rebuild soil health and replace chemical inputs with organic methods. Through hands-on field sessions, we’ve guided growers toward certification under USDA Organic, EU, JAS, and Rainforest Alliance standards—linking them to higher-value export markets.
So far, 231 farmers are in the process of gaining certification. By introducing simple, low-cost regenerative farming techniques—like intercropping pepper vines with shade trees—we’re helping them improve yields while protecting the land that sustains their livelihoods.
Building Stronger Farmer Networks
To create lasting impact, Harris Spice supported the formation of 33 farmer cooperatives across Lampung—networks that coordinate harvest collection, quality standards, and collective sales. By organizing together, farmers can pool resources, access training, and negotiate fairer prices for their crops.
These groups have also received training in financial literacy and digital banking, giving members the skills to manage transparent transactions and strengthen their long-term financial independence.
Real Results, Real Impact
The Organic Pepper Project has delivered measurable change for farming families in Lampung.
- Healthier crops and higher yields through the adoption of organic soil management and natural pest control.
- Certified quality and premium prices as farmers meet international standards for organic and Rainforest Alliance production.
- Stronger incomes supported by cooperative marketing and new access to digital banking.
- Healthier ecosystems as farmers adopt composting, organic fertilization, and reduced chemical inputs—restoring soil health and biodiversity across Lampung’s pepper farms.
- Expanded global market access through improved quality control and traceable supply chains that connect Lampung farmers directly with international buyers.
With these foundations in place, Lampung’s farmers are earning more for their harvests while protecting the environment that sustains them. Their organic pepper now reaches buyers across Europe, Japan, and the United States.
Leading the Future of Ethical Spice Sourcing
Through the Organic Pepper Project, Harris Spice has shown how responsible sourcing can strengthen entire farming communities while meeting global demand for high-quality, certified spices.
By investing steadily and working directly with growers and local partners, we helped restore confidence in Lampung’s pepper sector and created a replicable model for sustainable spice production—one that balances farmer well-being with commercial growth.
Learn More and Get Involved
Watch our full video above to see how Harris Spice is helping restore Indonesia’s pepper heritage and strengthen farming communities across Lampung.
We welcome partnerships that share our commitment to sustainability, traceability, and farmer empowerment.
If you’re interested in collaborating on future initiatives like this, contact us to start the conversation. Together, we can continue building a more sustainable future for the world’s spices.
