The Universitas Gadjah Mada Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) Sangga Baruna team held a training session in collaboration with the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) Pokja 3 of Sumbermulyo Village under the theme “Processing Catfish and Chicken Dim Sum and Its Marketing Strategies” at the Sumbermulyo Village Office, Pesanggaran District, Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, on Tuesday, Jul. 8, 2025.
The training aimed to equip residents with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance their income and overall well-being.
Intan Adelia Sari Kusuma Wardani, the program coordinator, explained that the idea for the training originated from her experience during a practicum for the Fishery Product Processing and Quality Testing course at the UGM Faculty of Agriculture.
At the time, her group created chicken dim sum using fishbone flour, and it received positive feedback for its taste.
“From there, I started thinking about developing dim sum made from local fish to increase its market value. One promising ingredient is catfish, as it is easily available and affordable,” she said in an interview on Wednesday, Jul. 16, 2025.
The Sangga Baruna team then experimented with two types of dim sum: one made purely from catfish and another combining catfish and chicken.
The version made with both ingredients yielded better taste, aroma, and texture.
As a result, they chose this product as the main focus of their KKN program to promote value-added catfish products and increase catfish consumption in the community.
Wardani further elaborated that the training consisted of three main components.
First, Wardani (Fishery Product Technology Program) led the session on making catfish-chicken dim sum and explained vacuum packaging techniques.
Second, Fikri (Nursing Science Program) discussed the nutritional benefits of consuming catfish and chicken, emphasizing the importance of animal protein for health.
Third, Fatin (Industrial Engineering Program) provided a session on product branding using video marketing.
This included tips on content formulas, an introduction to the CapCut application, and managing a TikTok Shop account.
Wardani noted that the training received enthusiastic participation, particularly from the women of PKK Pokja 3.
They were actively involved in preparing equipment, attentively listening to explanations, and taking notes on essential points.
The event also welcomed attendees from the District PKK Mobilization Team, village facilitators, and the Head of the Sumbermulyo Village PKK Mobilization Team, signaling strong support for the initiative.
Alfiah, Head of the Sumbermulyo Village PKK Mobilization Team, expressed appreciation for the student-led initiative.
Several PKK members also shared their testimonials, stating that the catfish-chicken dim sum had a pleasant taste, ideal texture, and an affordable production cost.
This, they said, opened up the potential for the product to become a promising source of income.
“We hope this activity will improve the skills and knowledge of the community in processing high-value food products,” said Alfiah.
Birrul Qisty, coordinator of the Sangga Baruna team, emphasized that the creative economic development initiative should not stop at training.
“We hope the women can start home-based businesses by selling vacuum-packed, frozen catfish-chicken dim sum. This will not only increase household income but also promote fish consumption within the community,” Qisty concluded.
Author: Lintang Andwyna
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photograph: JMDN