Patriot Expedition Team Trains Manokwari MSMEs to Process Matoa into Dodol
Airlangga University (Unair) Surabaya’s Patriot Expedition Team has trained micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Warmare District, Manokwari Regency, West Papua, to process matoa fruit into high-economic-value food products such as dodol.
Unair Surabaya lecturer Zamal Nasution in Manokwari on Monday said the matoa processing training provides added value for local MSMEs, while helping farmers cope with price declines during the peak harvest season.
“When the harvest is abundant, matoa is plentiful so prices at the farmer level drop drastically. Therefore, further processing is needed so that the harvest is absorbed, and this matoa dodol is the first of its kind,” he said.
In addition to dodol, he said, women MSME entrepreneurs assisted by the Manokwari Manpower and Transmigration Office (Disnakertrans) were given training in processing matoa into jam, sticks and ice cream, which were included in the MSME exhibition in Manokwari on 10-12 August 2026.
The raw material requirement for matoa in the initial stage of developing various derivative products is estimated to reach 200 kilograms per month, and this figure is expected to continue to increase in the future as marketing targets expand.
“Through the MSME exhibition, we introduce processed matoa products to the public. The product launch is planned for 17 August,” he said.
He explained that the development of low-sugar ice cream is directed as a healthy food alternative in supporting the balanced nutrition fulfilment programme for children, while herbal tea and various processed nuts serve as typical Manokwari souvenirs.
The matoa fruit downstreaming programme is expected to encourage food diversification based on local commodities, while reducing the dependence of communities in the Manokwari area on ultra-processed foods with low nutritional value.
“Our hope is that processing local commodities such as matoa will be the first step in building food self-sufficiency, as well as improving the welfare of farmers and MSMEs,” he said.