Improving the Economy, UMM FEB Team Encourages Residents to Take Advantage of Cassava Potential

The UMM lecturer team together with the residents after giving material related to the use of cassava. (Photo: Istimewah)

Cassava is one of the third largest carbohydrate-producing foodstuffs after rice and corn. This raw material also has the potential to be managed into various types of food. However, Wonokerto Village, Trenggalek, as one of the cassava-producing villages, does not take advantage of this potential. Seeing this, a team of lecturers from the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) held training on making chips from cassava. The community service program lasts for two months, from June 1 to July 30, 2021.

When met, the head of the lecturer service team, Novi Puji Lestari., SE., M.M., said that some of the people of Wonokerto Village make a living as cassava farmers. Unfortunately, they only sell their raw produce to intermediaries. This makes the selling price also lower. In fact, according to him, if processed products from cassava can provide more benefits.

“People do not take advantage of the potential of these foodstuffs properly. At the same time, processed cassava products such as snacks are very mushrooming in urban areas. Therefore, we held training on making cassava chips for villagers," said the lecturer in the Management Study Program.

In the series of activities, Novi said that apart from teaching the public about processing cassava into salable products, this team also understood trademarks. The provision of material about this trademark aims to make the community build their brand of cassava chips in the market. “We also provide several tools that can support the production of potato chips in Wonokerto village. Starting from sealers, spinners, cassava slicers, plastic for packaging, seasonings with various flavors, to stickers for labels on product packaging, "said Novi further.

Novi is not alone in implementing this community service program. On that occasion, she was assisted by Widhiyo Sudiyono., ST., M.BA. In addition, five other students participated directly in providing training, namely, Abidin Muchlis El Ab'ror, Omita Arindya, Adinda Rizky Yuanitasari, Evrila Restu Goetama Saputri, and Tassya Marchella Adelina Wahyudi. Finally, Novi hopes that this service activity can provide benefits for the residents of Wonokerto village. “Besides that, I also hope that this plan can improve the local economy. Likewise, to provide new skills for the community," she said. (syi/wil)