The durian fruit is famous for its intense aroma, unique taste, and relatively large size. It is often dubbed the “king of fruits.” It grows in most tropical regions and holds a special status among tropical fruit enthusiasts.
Community Service Program (KKN) Team I students of Diponegoro University for the Academic Year 2023/2024 mentioned that besides the potential for plantations and rice fields, Warungpring Village, Warungpring Sub-District, Pemalang Regency, has significant business potential, especially for the durian fruit community. The majority of the residents in the Warungpring sub-district have durian trees. However, during the harvest season, durian waste accumulates.
The leftover fruit waste is organic, and improperly managed organic waste can rot, producing carbon dioxide and methane gases that can contribute to global warming. To address this issue, the KKN student team in Warungpring Village found a solution by utilizing durian waste and processing it into durian seed chips.
Durian seed chips became the flagship program of the KKN students from Diponegoro University in Warungpring Village, Warungpring Sub-District, Pemalang Regency. Apart from having a unique taste and texture, durian seed chips also contain beneficial nutrients such as potassium, calcium, vitamin B and B1, fiber, protein, and carbohydrates. These nutrients can help prevent hypertension, maintain dental health, improve digestion, and serve as a source of energy.
By producing durian seed chips, the KKN student team from Diponegoro University contributes to reducing fruit waste while simultaneously enhancing business opportunities and the primary appeal of MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) products in Warungpring Village.
“In addition to being easy to find the ingredients, these chips are also easy to make. The durian seeds collected will be processed through several stages, such as peeling, boiling, flouring, molding, and frying. If managed properly, this business could become a promising source of income,” said Muhammad Afnan Rashif, a KKN student majoring in Agroecotechnology deployed in Warungpring Village, Pemalang Regency.
With this durian seed chip innovation, the KKN student team from Warungpring Village developed the empowerment of MSMEs in the village. It helped them access local, national, and even international markets more easily. Thus, durian seed chips can become a flagship product that supports culinary tourism promotion, branding, and the identity of Warungpring Village.
“Through this product innovation, it is hoped that it will provide inspiration and knowledge about the utilization of durian seed waste, as well as an additional income alternative for the surrounding community, especially housewives in the local village,” explained one of the KKN student teams from Diponegoro University in Warungpring Village. (GR; DHW-Public Relations)
