The Matching Fund Program (PDP) Team of Universitas Brawijaya in collaboration with the Food Crops, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry Service (TPHP) of Central Kalimantan Province recently carried out strengthening in the field of digital management and marketing for the Head of Farmer Groups and Head of Women Farmer Groups (KWT) who have wards in Kotawaringin Barat Regency. The strengthening program includes business management assistance activities and the use of digital marketing platforms such as Shopee for sales facilities. This training received a positive response, both from the TPHP Service of Central Kalimantan Province, the Agriculture Service of Kotawaringin Barat Regency, and the mentoring participants.
The PDP Team consists of five lecturers from Universitas Brawijaya, 1 lecturer from Palangka Raya University, and 1 lecturer from Jember State Polytechnic.
Prof. Imam Santoso (TIP-FTP UB) as the team leader consisting of Endrika Widyastuti, Ph. D (THP-FTP UB), Dr. Dodyk Pranowo (TIP-FTP UB), Rini Yulianingsih, Ph.D (TEP-FTP UB), Ainur Rofiq Ph.D (FEB UB), Prof. H. Saputera (TIP-UPR), and Annisa’u Choirun, MT (TP-POLIJE). The PDP team has a scientific background, especially in the field of Agro-Industry Processing and Management Technology so that it is in accordance with the knowledge needed to empower farmer group and KWT in Kotawaringin Barat Regency. This PDP activity will be carried out from August to December 2024. This activity involves five MBKM students from the Faculty of Agricultural Technology who actively assist in the field for approximately 2 months. The participants, who were mostly representatives of farmer group leaders and women farmer group leaders, gained new knowledge on how to manage costs and minimize unnecessary expenses.
With a better understanding of business management, they can more easily identify areas where costs can be reduced or use other strategies to increase profits. Moreover, this PDP activity also assists farmer groups and KWT in creating accounts on e-commerce platforms, especially Shopee Seller, to help participants market their products online. Participants are given step-by-step guidance in creating a Shopee account and learning how to manage their stores. This activity not only provides long-term benefits for women farmer groups, but also provides valuable experience. With the new skills they gain, it is hoped that participants can be more independent and successful in developing their businesses in the increasingly developing digital world. This training is a real example of collaboration between academics and the community in an effort to improve welfare and empower the local economy in Kotawaringin Barat Regency. (*/UB PR/ Trans. Iir)