Pemberdayaan UMKM Masyarakat Pesisi Pantai Riung, Kabupaten Ngada Melalui Inovasi Produk Pangan Lokal Berbasis Konservasi Mangrove

Abstract

The coastal communities of Riung Beach, Ngada Regency, have not yet fully harnessed the potential of the mangrove ecosystem as a source of food with economic value, resulting in a lack of growth among local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); furthermore, mangrove conservation is still viewed as an ecological burden without direct economic benefits. This community service initiative aims to empower SMEs in the Riung coastal area through the development of an innovative local food product mangrove fruit syrup that is integrated with conservation efforts. The method used was action research with a participatory approach, which included identifying problems faced by MSMEs; raising awareness and providing education on mangrove conservation; training on processing mangrove fruit into syrup; providing guidance on production, legal matters, and marketing; and conducting an evaluation through pre- and post-tests using a structured questionnaire consisting of 25 items on a Likert scale (1–4). The results of the activities showed a 19% increase in the average score for understanding the ecological functions of mangroves, a 31% increase in syrup production skills, a 19% increase in understanding of packaging and marketing, and a 31% increase in knowledge of processing mangrove fruit into food, with the formation of a cooperative business group that has begun marketing products to tourists in the 17 Riung Islands area. This innovation provides economic value and income diversification, while fostering a collective awareness of the importance of preserving mangroves through conservation efforts based on economic incentives. Challenges that remain include the seasonal availability of raw materials, permitting issues, limited market access, and inconsistent product quality, making ongoing support necessary.