Efforts to build community economic independence through the use of\nlocal potential continue in Gedog Subdistrict, Sananwetan District,\nBlitar City. Through the Year II Assisted Village Community Empowerment\nProgramme, aimed at increasing production capacity and management among\npartners, a team from Universitas Islam Balitar (Unisba) Blitar and\nUniversitas Widyagama Malang carried out a series of socialisation,\ntraining, and mentoring activities for the community and two partner\ngroups: Bank Sampah Gong Lestari and Pokmas Hidrofarm. The programme,\nwhich promotes circular economy development through plastic waste\nconversion products and red citronella oil extraction, is directed at\nincreasing production capacity, community skills, business management,\nand marketing of products based on local potential.<\/p>\n
Programme Chair Palupi Puspitorini said that the activities do not\nstop at providing technology, but are directed so that the community is\nable to operate the technology, develop products, and manage the\nbusiness independently and sustainably to increase its economic\ncapacity. \u201cWe want the appropriate technology provided to truly become\npart of the community\u2019s economic activity. Therefore, the approach is\nnot only socialisation and training, but is followed by practice and\nmentoring so that partners are able to apply the technology, produce\nproducts, and develop their marketing independently,\u201d said Palupi.<\/p>\n
For the Bank Sampah Gong Lestari partner, the programme focused on\nstrengthening plastic waste management through the reduce, reuse,\nrecycle (3R) principle. Waste that was previously only collected and\nsold in raw form is now developed through crushing technology into\nplastic flakes. Implementation data shows an increase in production of\nmore than 75%. More significantly, the selling price increased, thereby\nimpacting partner income. The training also increased members\u2019\nunderstanding of plastic processing techniques. Evaluation results\nshowed an average increase in understanding of 55%, with the largest\nincrease in the aspect of how to make crushed plastic at 75%.<\/p>\n
Bank Sampah Gong Lestari Chairwoman Sutji Pudjiastuti welcomed the\nmentoring provided by the Unisba team. \u201cWith this mentoring, we not only\nlearn to manage waste, but also see that plastic waste can become a\nmaterial with higher economic value. The crushing machine helps us\nincrease production capacity, while the mentoring opens insights to\ndevelop products and marketing.\u201d According to her, the existence of the\ntechnology provides motivation for members to be more active in sorting\nand processing waste. Meanwhile, Pokmas Hidrofarm received mentoring in\ndeveloping red citronella cultivation and diversifying its derivative\nproducts.<\/p>\n
Training was carried out from cultivation techniques, seeding and\nmaintenance, to the extraction process using distillation equipment. Not\nstopping at oil production, the team also provided training in making\nderivative products in the form of aromatherapy candles and perfume\/reed\ndiffusers. Implementation results showed production of 200 bottles each,\nwith product revenue of Rp5 million. Pokmas Hidrofarm Chairman Andi\nAhmad Setyobudi revealed that the mentoring provided a new experience\nfor members in developing agricultural products into agro-industrial\nproducts. \u201cThis mentoring is very helpful because previously we focused\nmore on raw materials and citronella oil. Now we are learning to develop\ncitronella oil into products that are more ready for market, such as\naromatherapy candles and reed diffusers made from red citronella oil. We\nalso learned about business recording and digital marketing,\u201d said Andi\nAhmad.<\/p>\n
The programme is not only oriented towards increasing production.\nAspects of business management and human resources are also of concern.\nTraining on financial management, production and sales recording,\nproduction target setting, and digital marketing was provided to partner\ngroups. At Pokmas Hidrofarm, participants\u2019 understanding of citronella\noil increased by an average of 48%, while understanding of distillation\ntechniques increased by up to 80%. The member participation rate reached\n75%, exceeding the 70% target.<\/p>\n
Digital marketing has also begun to expand the reach of Hidrofarm\nproducts. Red citronella oil, reed diffuser, and aromatherapy candle\nproducts are no longer only directed at the local Blitar market, but are\nbeginning to be introduced to the Malang, Kediri, Surabaya, and\nYogyakarta areas through digital media.<\/p>\n
Gedog Subdistrict Head Yulian Nurdin Ahmad expressed appreciation for\nthe implementation of the programme that directly involves the\ncommunity. \u201cWe greatly appreciate the activities carried out in Gedog\nSubdistrict. This programme provides real benefits because the community\nnot only gains knowledge, but also gains skills and mentoring to develop\nthe potential that exists in our area. The waste bank and Hidrofarm\ngroup are examples that local potential can be developed into productive\neconomic activities.\u201d According to him, collaboration between\nuniversities, subdistrict government, community groups, and business\nactors is important capital for building programme sustainability. \u201cOur\nhope is that this activity continues to develop so that Gedog\nSubdistrict truly becomes an impactful subdistrict, both from\nenvironmental, social and economic aspects of the community,\u201d he\nadded.<\/p>\n
Programme Chair Ir. Palupi Puspitorini, MP, emphasised that the\nsuccess of the programme is not only measured by the number of tools or\nproducts produced, but by the ability of partners to continue activities\nindependently. \u201cOur measure of success is when the group is able to\ncontinue the production process, manage its business, maintain product\nquality, and expand the market without assistance.\u201d<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/appropriate-technology-drives-gedog-subdistrict-to-become-a-circular-economy-and-innovative-product-hub-1786805459", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }