Semarang – Central Java (6/11). Tapak Village, Tugurejo, Semarang, is rich in coastal resources such as seaweed, milkfish, shrimp, and crab, which are developed into several processed food products ready for consumption. One of the MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) that consistently runs this processing business is the Putri Tirang MSME. Even though they have contributed to cultivating the potential of local resources, the MSME led by Mrs. Mukhayanah faces a number of obstacles, including limited capital, inadequate production equipment, lack of innovation in packaging and products, and problems in marketing. One of the main challenges is the need for more understanding of e-commerce as a promotional and sales tool.
Dr. Suryanti, M. Pi. As Chair of PKUM (Strengthening Community Leading Commodities) Community Service, whose members are Dr. Churun A’in, Siti Rudiyanti, M.Si from the Water Resources Management Study Program (MSP), the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Diponegoro University were taking part in helping Putri Tirang MSME partners in overcoming problems through community empowerment programs and improving product quality. The PKUM Community Service team carried out the program together with Thematic Community Service Team for Strengthening Leading Community Commodities (PKUM) 2023 students from several study programs, including Water Resources Management (MSP), Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Regional and City Planning Engineering (PWK), Informatics and Medicine.
Through the program that has been prepared, the Diponegoro University Community Service Team has taken concrete steps to develop Putri Tirang MSME, including handing over spinners and vacuum sealers to support good packaging and maintain product quality. The team also provided a more attractive packaging model to increase the attractiveness of the product, outreach regarding the important nutritional content in processed products, and a zero-waste campaign to reduce potential waste from the products produced.
Apart from that, the team also assisted in understanding e-commerce and helped Putri Tirang MSME register with online shopping platforms such as Shopee to increase sales turnover. The team also innovated by mapping the location of the Putri Tirang MSME production house, making it easier for the community and visitors to Tapak Village to find the place of superior MSME products and creating a distinctive feature for mangrove ecotourism in Tugurejo.
Suryanti, as Chair of the PKUM Community Service Team, said, “This entire program is aimed at helping Putri Tirang MSME develop, both in terms of product quality, sales turnover, and improving the economy of the Tapak community as a whole.” (PKUM Community Service Team ed. Ut-PR)
