Padang (ANTARA) \u2013 Andalas University (Unand) in West Sumatra has\ninitiated cross-sector collaboration to develop a downstream\ngambier-processing ecosystem in the province, from improving the quality\nof raw materials to processing and marketing higher-value products.<\/p>\n
\u201cDeveloping gambier requires the involvement of various parties so\nthat the commodity can be processed into products with high economic\nvalue and reach wider markets,\u201d Unand Rector Dr Efa Yonnedi said in\nPadang on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The remarks were made at a coordination meeting at Unand\u2019s Rectorate\nBuilding, attended by 64 participants representing central and regional\ngovernment, universities, banks, business associations, standards bodies\nand industry players.<\/p>\n
She said the ecosystem initiative was prompted by the limited value\nadded to West Sumatra\u2019s gambier, as most of the commodity is still\ntraded in block form and its quality is inconsistent.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main challenge for West Sumatra\u2019s gambier today is to improve\nproduct quality and expand processing so that it delivers greater\neconomic benefits, given that much of farmers\u2019 harvest is still sold in\nblocks of varying quality,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She added that variations in catechin and tannin content, moisture,\nash and cleanliness made it difficult to meet industrial specifications\nconsistently.<\/p>\n
Unand Director of Research Partnerships and Downstream Development Dr\nEng Muhammad Makky said the main obstacle was the lack of integration\nbetween production, processing, technology, financing and marketing\nwithin a single business ecosystem.<\/p>\n
Gambier development therefore needs to shift from trading a commodity\ntowards building a value-added industry, he said.<\/p>\n
He said this would be pursued through a pentahelix approach, with\nUnand encouraging the involvement of government, academia, business and\nindustry, communities and the media.<\/p>\n
Under the proposed collaboration, Andalas University will serve as a\ncentre for developing knowledge and technology, as well as a link\nbetween stakeholders working to establish a business model that can be\nadopted by communities and industry.<\/p>\n
Deputy for Medium Enterprises at the Ministry of Micro, Small and\nMedium Enterprises, Bagus Rachman, representing the deputy minister,\nsaid the ministry had a strategic role in turning gambier\u2019s potential\ninto a business ecosystem that directly benefits communities.<\/p>\n
One proposal discussed was the establishment of a Gambier Product\nDownstreaming House (RHP) as a centre for shared production, further\nprocessing, standardisation and support for micro, small and\nmedium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).<\/p>\n
The RHP would increase production value by processing gambier into\nthree main products: clean, standardised pure dried gambier resin\n(GGKM), basic catechin concentrate and basic tannin extract.<\/p>\n
The ministry will support stronger business institutions, shared\nproduction facilities, MSME capacity-building, certification and\nlegal-status assistance, and matchmaking between businesses and\nprospective industrial buyers, he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/andalas-university-initiates-cross-sector-collaboration-to-develop-downstream-gambier-processing-in-west-1791978684", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }