Two Universities Collaborate to Boost Economic Empowerment for Housewives in Madapolo Village, South Halmahera
Efforts to increase family economic independence based on local potential are being intensified in the archipelago region. Through a cross-university collaboration, a team of academics from Khairun University (Unkhair) and Nahdlatul Ulama University of North Maluku (Unutara) conducted a Community Service (PKM) programme. This activity was funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology through the 2026 fiscal year funding scheme.
Titled ‘Economic Empowerment of Housewives Through Sangkola Hitam Product Innovation Based on Cassava in Madapolo Village, North Obi District, South Halmahera’, the initiative focuses on diversifying cassava processing into high-value products. The abundant cassava harvests in North Obi have previously been deemed underutilised for driving the local economy.
The service team, led by Asnita Ode Samili, M.Pd., along with lecturers Ningsi Saibi, M.Si., and Jainudin Hasim, M.Pd., and supported by students Verawati Mustapa and Sonia La Umi, actively mentored the business group. During the training, participants were guided through the hygienic production process of Sangkola Hitam according to standards, ranging from raw material selection to packaging suitable for both offline and online markets.
In discussion sessions, the team also provided guidance on simple business management, including production cost recording, determining competitive selling prices, and strategies for achieving profit without compromising quality. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to understand that business success is determined not only by product taste but also by good management, customer service, and the ability to identify market opportunities.
The production process involves peeling and washing fresh cassava, grating it, and reducing moisture content through drying to optimise texture and shelf life. The dried cassava powder is then mixed with palm sugar slices and stirred until it turns brownish. The mixture is steamed until it reaches a deep reddish-black colour, resulting in a sweet and chewy texture. The final product is then packed in modern, airtight packaging.
According to Asnita Ode Samult, the training also equipped residents with dual marketing strategies. ‘The women in Madapolo Village are being trained to master two marketing channels: offline, targeting local shops, and online, utilising Facebook to expand the market reach of Sangkola Hitam beyond the local area,’ she stated.
Beyond technical skills, the programme is designed to foster entrepreneurship. Participants learned the importance of consistent quality, sanitation, and building a competitive product identity. This programme serves as a practical implementation of the ‘Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi’ (Three Pillars of Higher Education), specifically in Community Service. Through the transfer of knowledge and appropriate technology, Unkhair and Unutara act as strategic partners in optimising local resources into competitive creative economy products.
Moving forward, the team hopes that Sangkola Hitam will evolve from a traditional local food into a flagship regional product capable of being marketed across North Maluku and even nationally. With support from village authorities and various stakeholders, this local food innovation is expected to create new business opportunities, increase family incomes, and strengthen the economic resilience of the Madapolo community.