A team from Universitas Indonesia (UI), coordinated by the Directorate of Community Service and Empowerment (DPPM), conducted community service activities in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi, at the end of August 2024. The program themed “Pengembangan Ekosistem Bisnis Masyarakat Pesisir melalui Peningkatan Nilai Tambah Produk Olahan Pisang dan Ikan di Wakatobi” (Development of Coastal Community Business Ecosystems through Increasing the Added Value of Processed Banana and Fish Products in Wakatobi) focused on three villages on Binongko Island, namely Haka, Waloindi, and Oihu. Dr. Retno Lestari, M.Si., Head of the Community Service Team and lecturer at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) UI, explained that Binongko Island has great potential in the banana plantation and marine sectors, which are currently not optimally utilized. “Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency in 2020, bananas are the main agricultural product in Binongko District. In fact, this plant can grow on rocky land. In addition, Binongko has the largest coral reef area among the surrounding islands, which supports abundant marine products,” she said.
In an effort to develop this potential, the UI Community Service Team consisting of students, alumni, and experts—including Ilma Ardelia, Rafifadil Salma Putra, Nabil Ariq Ahmad Nurzahid, Amelia Said, Windya Fajira, Alya Nur Fajrina, and Fajar Reza Budiman—conducted socialization to strengthen innovation of processed banana and fish products with high selling value. Residents were taught techniques for making banana chips, banana setup, and processed frozen food based on fish, such as fish nuggets, fish balls, and woku fish. They were also introduced to other regional specialty products such as pempek, otak-otak, and dragon’s feet, which can be an inspiration for local product innovation.
In addition to training, UI provides entrepreneurship modules and various production equipment, including digital scales, food processors, and mixers. Not only that, examples of product labels and packaging designs are also provided as a guide to help residents market their products more professionally.
Ilma Ardelia, an FMIPA student who participated in this program, expressed her enthusiasm for supporting community empowerment. “The innovations we teach are tailored to the residents’ ability to produce their own products, and we are happy to see their enthusiasm to progress and be independent,” she said.
More than just training, the UI Service Team also formed a program coordination group to ensure the sustainability of the initiatives that have been carried out. Village heads from Haka, Waloindi, and Oihu also support this effort, especially in terms of product development and strengthening businesses through attractive label and packaging designs.
Dr. Retno hopes that these steps can be a catalyst for the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) on Binongko Island. “With the innovation and support we provide, we hope that the community can increase their income, independence, and welfare through processed products that have high added value,” she said.
