Workshop and Training on Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) Production in Cemorokandang Village

Pre-elderly and elderly residents in Cemorokandang Village, Malang City, face a high risk of degenerative diseases due to declining organ function. Public awareness of the importance of consuming healthy foods, including supplements like Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), still needs improvement. Moreover, the perceived high price of VCO presents an additional challenge for the community.

To address this issue, a workshop and training program on independent VCO production was held. The training aimed to enable the community to produce VCO at a more affordable cost. The program involved 28 participants representing 11 Neighborhood Associations (RW) and local working groups (POKJA), who were provided with knowledge about the health benefits of VCO and practical steps in its production process.

Participants were not only equipped with theoretical knowledge but also provided with simple tools to try and apply the VCO production methods independently at home. This approach was designed to make the training more applicable and impactful in improving the community’s daily lives.

The activity was initiated by a community service team led by Dr. Ir. Erni Yudaningtyas, M.T., with team members Dr. Ir. Bambang Siswojo, MT, Goegoes Dwi N., S.T., M.T., and Dr. Ir. Moch. Rusli, Dipl. Ing. The program also involved 12 students from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, as technical supporters.

Full support for the program was provided by the Cemorokandang Village Government. The event was attended by the Chairwoman of the Village PKK Mobilization Team, Mrs. Dra. Nurjanah, MM, who motivated the participants, and Mr. Ahmad Ridwan, SE, the Village Head of Cemorokandang, who delivered the closing remarks.

Participant enthusiasm was exceptionally high, reflected in satisfaction survey results showing 62.5% were very satisfied, and 37.5% were satisfied. This indicates that the training successfully addressed community needs and enhanced awareness of the importance of VCO as a health supplement.

“With this initiative, we hope the community can produce VCO independently, improving their health while reducing economic burdens. This program’s success is expected to serve as a model for similar initiatives in other areas facing comparable health and economic challenges,” said Dr. Erni.