PEMBERDAYAAN DESA BINAAN: PENINGKATAN NILAI TAMBAH GULA AREN MELALUI TRANSFER TEKNOLOGI PASCA PANEN NIRA DAN DIVERSIFIKASI PRODUK DI DESA BONTO MANURUNG, KABUPATEN MAROS, SULAWESI SELATAN

Abstract

Desa Bonto Manurung merupakan salah satu desa di Kecamatan Tompobulu, Kabupaten Maros, dengan luas wilayah mencapai 40,55 km². Wilayah ini memiliki potensi sumber daya hutan bukan kayu (HBK), khususnya tanaman aren, yang menjadi komoditas unggulan masyarakat setempat. Program Bina Desa Tahun I (2025) di Desa Bonto Manurung difokuskan pada peningkatan nilai tambah produk gula aren melalui perbaikan teknologi penyadapan dan pascapanen nira aren, serta diversifikasi produk olahan. Selain itu, kegiatan ini juga bertujuan untuk meningkatkan kapasitas masyarakat desa, khususnya kelompok penyadap, pengrajin, dan pelaku usaha gula aren, dalam aspek teknologi produksi, manajemen usaha, serta strategi pemasaran. Kegiatan dilaksanakan dengan dukungan penuh dari Pemerintah Desa dan kelompok mitra. Kegiatan awal berupa benchmarking dan sosialisasi bersama perangkat desa, tokoh masyarakat, serta mitra dilakukan untuk memperkenalkan rencana program Bina Desa selama tiga tahun. Kemudian Transfer Teknologi dilaksanakan melalui pelatihan, praktik langsung dan pendampingan terhadap 20 anggota Kelompok Aren Jaya dan 20 anggota Kelompok Aren Tompobulu. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan adanya peningkatan pengetahuan, keterampilan, dan motivasi masyarakat dalam mengembangkan produk gula aren bernilai tambah tinggi. Program ini diharapkan menjadi landasan bagi keberlanjutan kegiatan pada tahun-tahun berikutnya melalui penguatan kapasitas produksi, manajemen usaha, serta strategi pemasaran berbasis komunitas desa yang berdaya saing dan berkelanjutan.   

Kata kunci: Diversifikasi pengolahan, gula aren, manajemen pemasaran.

ABSTRACT

Bonto Manurung Village is one of the villages in Tompobulu District, Maros Regency, with an area of up to 40.55 km². This area has the potential for non-timber forest products (NTFPs), specifically the sugar palm plant, which is a leading commodity for the local community. The Year I (2025) Desa Binaan Program in Bonto Manurung Village is focused on increasing the added value of palm sugar products through improvements in tapping technology and post-harvest handling of palm sap, as well as product diversification. In addition, this activity aims to enhance the capacity of the village community, particularly the tapper groups, artisans, and palm sugar business actors, in terms of production technology, business management, and marketing strategies. The activities were carried out with the full support of the Village Government and partner groups. Initial activities, including benchmarking and socialization with village officials, community leaders, and partners, were conducted to introduce the three-year Desa Binaan Program plan. Subsequently, Technology Transfer was carried out through training, hands-on practice, and mentoring for 20 members of the Aren Jaya Group and 20 members of the Aren Tompobulu Group. The results of the activities show an increase in the community's knowledge, skills, and motivation in developing high value-added palm sugar products. This program is expected to serve as a foundation for the sustainability of activities in the years to come through the strengthening of production capacity, business management, and community-based marketing strategies that are competitive and sustainable.

Keywords: Product diversification, palm sugar, marketing strategies.