NeoAlternative Café Revives Malunda Robusta Coffee and Empowers Youth Creativity in Majene

Mamuju – NeoAlternative Café in Majene is bringing new life to Malunda Robusta coffee, a local coffee variety that dates back to the Dutch colonial period. At the same time, the café is creating a space for young people to develop creativity through discussions, community activities, and collaboration.

Muhammad Kadri, a barista at NeoAlternative Café, explained on Thursday (March 12, 2026) that the café is strategically located near an educational area and mainly targets students. The café offers a comfortable and affordable environment while remaining open to various creative activities.

“At NeoAlternative, most of us are young people. We want to encourage economic growth and creativity in Majene,” Kadri said.

Reviving Local Malunda Robusta Coffee

One of the café’s key initiatives is to revive Malunda Robusta coffee, which has long been recognized by the local community as a distinctive coffee from the region.

Kadri explained that this local coffee has historical roots dating back to the Dutch colonial era, when coffee cultivation was carefully maintained.

“We are trying to revive the local coffee from Malunda. These are coffee plants that were cultivated and maintained during the Dutch colonial period,” he said.

By reintroducing this coffee variety, NeoAlternative aims to preserve local coffee heritage while promoting regional agricultural products.

A Hub for Youth and Community Collaboration

The presence of NeoAlternative Café has also been positively received by community stakeholders. Muhammad Wais, facilitator of Rumah BUMN Majene, believes cafés like NeoAlternative play an important role in building a collaborative ecosystem for young entrepreneurs.

According to Wais, the café regularly hosts discussion forums, dialogue sessions, and community events, creating opportunities for young small-business owners and local communities to collaborate.

He emphasized that youth involvement in the coffee and culinary sectors is crucial for strengthening Majene’s local creative economy. It also supports a growing movement to promote and consume products made by local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Promoting Majene’s Local Coffee Identity

By positioning Malunda Robusta coffee as its signature offering, NeoAlternative Café hopes to introduce Majene’s unique coffee flavor to a wider audience. At the same time, the initiative aims to preserve and celebrate the region’s coffee heritage.

Through innovation, community engagement, and support for local products, NeoAlternative Café is expected to play a role in expanding the market reach of Majene’s coffee while maintaining the legacy of its traditional coffee culture.