The UGM Community Service Program (KKN-PPM) team of the Muna Merona unit, in collaboration with the Muna Regency Office of Transmigration and Manpower, Southeast Sulawesi, organized training sessions in local food processing and handicrafts.
The program was attended by 120 participants from six villages: Maligano, Pohorua, Moolo, Lapole, Raimuna, and Langkoroni. These villages are part of the transmigration area.
The training serves as a form of collaboration between institutions and students, enhancing the capacity of local communities.
Muhammad Raafi, a member of the Muna Merona team, noted that the involvement of UGM students in this program provided valuable opportunities to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom.
“This is a rare opportunity for us to practice directly in the field, work alongside local residents, and learn how local potential can be transformed into creative products with commercial value,” said Raafi in a statement to reporters on Wednesday (Jul. 16).
According to Raafi, the food processing training held at Maligano Village Hall introduced residents, particularly homemakers, to various processed products, including selai kaya (coconut jam), cassava chips, moringa tea, pempek, and meatballs made from Lajang fish. Participants also received materials on branding, marketing, and obtaining Home Industry Food Production (PIRT) permits.
Meanwhile, the handicraft training held at Pohorua Village Hall focused on utilizing plastic waste to create eco-bricks and flower vases, as well as repurposing fabric scraps into bags and other products.
“The community responded to this activity with great enthusiasm,” Raafi recalled.
Siti Asmah, a resident of Lapole Village, expressed her delight in participating in the training. She stated that producing goods from locally available materials could be an alternative source of income and help develop small businesses in the village.
“This can become a source of livelihood,” she said.
The Head of the Muna Regency Office of Transmigration and Manpower, Syahrir, welcomed the food processing training initiated by the KKN-PPM student team.
He said the training broadened the knowledge and skills of transmigrant communities by utilizing local resources.
“Collaboration with UGM is an excellent momentum because Muna Regency must be recognized not only as a producer of raw materials but also for processed products with commercial value,” Syahrir stated.
Furthermore, Syahrir expressed hope that this training would serve as a stepping stone to open more business opportunities based on local processing and independent marketing in Muna Regency.
Author: Rafif Rusmana
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Anisa Nurliana
Photographs: Muna Merona