ITERA and Pringsewu Regency Collaborate on Mocaf Flour Production Technology

The Sumatera Institute of Technology (ITERA) and the Pringsewu Regency government are collaborating to develop research-based production technology for modified cassava flour (mocaf) to support cassava downstream processing and strengthen the village economy. ITERA Rector Prof Elfahmi stated that the collaboration focuses on strengthening the production system, improving the quality of mocaf flour, and providing technological assistance so that cassava commodities have higher added value for the community. He noted that cassava has great potential to be processed into various value-added products, and ITERA has long been developing research on cassava downstream processing, including mocaf. Elfahmi added that successful downstream processing requires collaboration between universities, government, industry, and the community, with technological support needed to achieve efficient and competitive production. Meanwhile, Pringsewu Regent Riyanto Pamungkas explained that the local government is promoting mocaf downstream processing as a driver of the village economy. Through the Kompak programme, the regency aims for every village to have a mocaf-based business unit, though development is currently still dominated by small and medium enterprises operating two business centres. The main challenge is the need for high-quality mocaf flour with a 100-mesh size, requiring advanced processing technology, particularly more sophisticated sieving technology, to improve quality and production capacity.