UNS – The Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka (MBKM) grant team from the Kelompok Studi Ilmiah (KSI) of the Faculty of Agriculture (FP) at Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has launched an economic empowerment program. Themed “Intensification of Economic Empowerment for the Kenanga Women Farmers Group Through Conservation and Downstreaming of Family Medicinal Plants (TOGA),” the initiative aims to transform raw materials such as lemongrass and ginger into high-value finished products. Launched in August 2024 in Wonosari Village, the program has shown promising progress.

The initiative involves ten UNS students from four FP study programs—Agribusiness, Agrotechnology, Agricultural Extension and Communication, and Food Science and Technology—partnering with the Kenanga Women Farmers Group (KWT Kenanga) in Wonosari Village, Gondangrejo District, Karanganyar Regency.

Wonosari Village was strategically selected due to its potential for cultivating lemongrass and ginger, which thrive in dryland conditions. The area includes dedicated but underutilized land donated for educational activities.

“In this village, we have land allocated for educational purposes, but it hasn’t been utilized due to its dry conditions. We usually plant lemongrass and ginger because they are relatively resilient,” Diana, Chair of KWT Kenanga, said.

The program focuses on empowering the women of KWT Kenanga. Through intensive guidance and training, they are actively involved in downstream products, strengthening the local economy with market-ready goods.

Using practical training and a community-based approach, the UNS students teach methods for processing lemongrass and ginger into finished products, such as herbal drinks. This approach enhances community skills and creates new business opportunities in the village.

“We aim to maximize the potential of lemongrass and ginger in Wonosari Village. These TOGA plants are processed into a finished product we and the KWT members named Sertijab, short for Sereh Wangi Jahe Mantab (Fragrant Lemongrass and Ginger),” Juna Fatimatuz Az-Zahra, a member of the MBKM grant team, explained in an interview on Friday (29/11/2024).

The Sertijab herbal drink is one of the program’s key outputs. The team also introduced innovative packaging, including sachets and boxes with eye-catching full-print designs, to enhance product value and expand market reach. This downstream initiative demonstrates the transformation of raw materials into value-added products, fostering creative economic growth in Wonosari Village and empowering KWT Kenanga.

The program’s success is expected to serve as a model for other villages with similar conditions. By empowering local communities and leveraging natural resources, Wonosari Village has demonstrated that environmental challenges can be addressed through innovation and effective collaboration.

This initiative reflects UNS students’ tangible contributions to building more self-reliant and competitive rural communities. It also aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 8 on “Decent Work and Economic Growth” and No. 12 on “Responsible Consumption and Production.” By reducing poverty and promoting sustainable resource use, the program exemplifies responsible and impactful natural resource management.

HUMAS UNS