IPB University Innovation KKN-T Students Promote Diversification of Fishery Product Processing
Students of IPB University's Thematic Community Service Program (KKN-T) in Kebumen, Central Java, held a diversification activity of processed fish products with the Mina Sejahtera Processing and Marketing Group (Poklasar) in Miritpetikusan Village, Mirit District, Kebumen, Central Java.
This activity is the last series of the Socialization of the Movement for Fans of Eating Fish (Gemari) program carried out by IPB University Innovation KKN-T students. Previously, the socialization had been carried out with mothers of family welfare empowerment (PKK) and children of the Al-Qur'an education park (TPQ). The last activity of Gemari was also attended by the Department of Environment, Marine and Fisheries (DLHKP) of Kebumen City.
"The general objective of Gemari is to increase the commercial value of fish and fulfill protein needs, especially in children. Through this movement, it is hoped that stunting can be prevented," said Rahayu, a student of IPB University as the person in charge of the activity.
In its implementation, Gemari activities are filled with processing fish into derivative products in the form of nuggets. The basic ingredient used was skipjack fish with a mixture of vegetables. According to Rahayu, the making of nuggets is intended to provide ideas both for daily cooking menus and as business ideas. In addition, making this product also increases people's interest in fish consumption, especially children.
The representative of DLHKP Kebumen City, Budi Purnomo, STr Pi hopes that the activity can be further developed by Poklasar Mina Sejahtera. He also hopes that the activity will not only stop at the product processing stage, but also up to marketing so that it can increase community income.
Poklasar members who attended this event were very enthusiastic in responding to the activities carried out. "Ma'am, if I want to sell this product, how much capital should I spend? Can the nuggets be processed into other forms that are affordable for children to buy? For example, like basreng chips," asked Tumbar as the Chair of Poklasar Mina Sejahtera.
"The overall capital for making nuggets depends on the fish used. If sea fish is used, then the capital spent can be greater. Meanwhile, the capital to buy flour and other complementary materials can be calculated at approximately fifty thousand rupiah," Rahayu explained.
Mutiara, an IPB University student from the Department of Aquatic Products Technology and Nazwa from the Department of Food Science and Technology explained that the diversification of this product can be changed into more economical snacks. For example, it can be cut into thinner pieces or made into nugget sticks.
The diversification of processed fish products activity ended with the distribution of nuggets made from skipjack fish. According to Budi Purnomo, the nuggets were considered quite delicious and able to compete in the market. The distribution and processing of nuggets also encouraged poklasar members to innovate in processing fish into other products and marketing them. (*/Rz) (IAAS/NVA)
