IPB Researchers Have Established Scientific Empowerment Programme for Poor Families
Researchers of Pusat Pengembangan Sumberdaya Manusia (P2SDM Center for Human Resources Development) of The Center for Research and Community Service of the Bogor Agricultural University (LPPM IPB) established community service program through Science and Technology Program for Society (IbM) of the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education (Kemenristekdikti) RI. The researchers are Dr. Burhanuddin, Tintin Sarianti, SP, MM and Ir. Mintarti, M.Si.
The IbM Program they implemented is "Cassava Chips" Group. The program is designed for Pre-Prosperous Based Family in Menteng Sub-District, Bogor City and Neglasari Village, Bogor Regency. Mintarti said that the aims of the program are to reduce our communities poverty rate of those two locations. "The specific purpose is to increase the income of poor families of program participants," he said.
She stated that based on the data collected and family mapping they revealed that 23.79 percent the population of RW.11 Kelurahan Menteng are poor families, whereas for RW. 6 Neglasari village, the poor families are 18.86 percent. Criteria for poor families set by the present Program are Pre-KS (preprosperous family) are those who do not have enough food or eat twice a day; do not have enough appropriate clothes; the poor housing condition (leak roof, poor condition-walls are dirty, floor is uneven); no health facilities access due to limited cost; and school-age children who can not attend school because of economic disability.
Mintarti said that the causes of poverty the communities of Menteng and Neglasari villages are economic limitation, so the solution to overcome this problem is improving the the family income (KK) of Pre KS strategy through the growth of entrepreneurial groups "Cassava Chips" based on local potential. Family Pre KS are approached, motivated, and selected to become a new cassava chips industry entrepreneurs.
Keripik singkong or Cassava Chips are selected as their business commodity as Neglasari already has a cassava chips industry 'Miraos' which is quite developed. ’Miraos’ Cassava chips industry will become the 'foster father' for the new entrepreneur groups namely KK Pre KS. Total 5 (five) men from Menteng Sub-district and five from Neglasari Village participate KK and Pre KS.
Two entrepreneur groups of have been established through this program, namely KAP 38 groups, Menteng Sub-districts, and MEKAR BUSINESS groups, Neglasari Village. A variety of training and motivation programs were organized to enable them ready to join the program mentally, physically and entrepreneurial.
Eros (42), members of MEKAR BUSINESS Group admitted that she is happy joining this program. Previously, to assist her husband who is the vegetable seller, she works as a domestic helper. "Alhamdulillah, by joining this group I may proud to say that I have bright future. Although the effect of the result has satisfied us yet, but I am happy as we have daily activities, especially working together with female communities, I am encouraged to move forward together, "he said.
Type of processed cassava chips of both communities is emping cassava. A new culinary product which is expected to be icon of Bogor after taro. (Wied)
