Peningkatan pendapatan kelompok petani kelapa melalui pengolahan buah kelapa menjadi Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO)

Abstract

Bulukumba Regency has enormous natural potential
in various fields, especially plantations. One of them is
coconut. The abundant coconut fruit is a potential natural
resource when used properly. However, these conditions have
not been able to significantly improve people's living standards.
This is because people still use coconut fruit by selling fruit or
making it as low-value coconut oil. As a result, a new
breakthrough is needed to increase the economic value of
coconuts so that they are of high selling value. This
community service activity was performed in order to help
people in Bulukumba Regency utilize coconut fruits so that
they can get maximum income from their garden produce.
Thus, it will add to the knowledge of the professionalism of
the surrounding community to be more independent and
productive. To achieve this, training was carried out on Virgin
Coconut Oil (VCO) from coconut fruit. The training was
attended by a group of coconut farmers in Bulukumba
Regency, Tugondeng Village. The method used was the
provision of information about the benefits, conception,
packaging, and selling value of the VCO, as well as the
demonstration of making VCO. The activities that were
conducted received appreciation from participants and local
government officials. Around 100% of participants have
understood the importance of increasing the selling value of
coconut fruits, and 85% of participants can make VCO. This
training succeeded in increasing participants 'knowledge in
processing coconut fruit into VCO and increasing participants'
insight about diversification of food products from coconut
fruits.