Mesolandform-Driven Variability in Coffee Water Demand and Productivity: A CROPWAT 8.0 Analysis for Sustainable Smallholder Farming in Indonesia

Abstract

The southern slope of Mount Kawi is a strategic center for coffee production in East Java, yet smallholder plantations face declining productivity due to suboptimal water management. This study aims to estimate Coffee Crop Water Requirements (CWR) across different growth stages and mesolandforms, and to analyze their correlation with coffee productivity. This research supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by enhancing smallholder livelihoods, SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action) through climate-adaptive water modeling. Using CROPWAT 8.0, the study integrated climatic, rainfall, soil, and crop data across various mesolandforms (1–10,000 ha) in the Kletek Sub-Watershed. The results indicate significant variations in CWR during the initial, development, mid-season, and late-season phases. A U-shaped distribution of water demand was observed, with the highest requirements occurring during the mid-season phase. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that coffee productivity is significantly influenced by the spatial characteristics of mesolandforms, which dictate water availability. The correlation analysis confirms that precise CWR estimation is a critical factor in optimizing coffee yields. These findings provide a scientific basis for site-specific irrigation scheduling to improve the resilience of smallholder coffee farming systems.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
SDG 2: Zero Hunger
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13: Climate Action