UNS — Creative economy development in Indonesia is highly strategic when considered from various aspects such as human resources, cultural diversity, large domestic market, and local wisdom. The creative industry also could actively contribute to the national economy. Besides a part of an effort to advance the creative economy, the government takes steps to integrate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the national development plans. The development of the creative economy sector by integrating SDGs will support the populace economy that is more focused on the system that aims to achieve a populace sovereign economy.
Segorogunung Village has potential in tourism and agricultural sectors, with tourism sectors well known among visitors. Tourism development requires supporting sectors such as culinary and souvenirs. Segorogunung Village potential that could be developed such as chayote. However, low creativity and innovation lead to a low-profit margin for the local community. Therefore, as an implementation of Higher Education Tri Dharma through community service and assisting local people in developing their local potential, the Diploma Program (D-3) of Agribusiness Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta in Student Association in Diploma Program of Agribusiness (Gamagrita) conducted empowerment program that focuses on local community business skills upgrade.
The program was implemented under the Rural Community Empowerment Program (P2MD) funded by the Directorate General of Vocational and Professional Higher Education Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) and the implementation of the Merdeka Belajar Kampus Merdeka Program (MBKM) by directly assisting community members and develop students’ skills. In the implementation, the Team collaborated with the rural government, village-owned business (BUMDes) Mustika Lawu, and Women Farmers Group (KWT) Mawar. In five months, the Team has conducted diverse activities, such as “Scale-Up Local Rural Production Supporting Segorogunung Tourism Destination” training, chayote processing into chayote chips, risoles, brownies, and wingko, assistance in development progress and solution for issues that arise, and branding through packaging under “Sechi” brand.
The Team also established the Agrilawu Center as a center for incubation and sales of Segorogunung excellent products and tourism destination that provides photo spots with a “millennial colorful” theme. The center was officially opened and introduced on Thursday (11/11/2021), located south of the Segorogunung football field. The opening ceremony was attended by Ngargoyoso Subdistrict Chief Wahyu Agus Pramono, S.S.T.P., who appreciated the efforts made by the Team. “Thank you to Universitas Sebelas Maret academic members for helping in the development of Segorogunung Village. Hopefully, this event does not stop here, but could continue and develop,” he stated.
The ceremony was also attended by the representative from the Tourism, Youth, and Sports Office of Karanganyar District, Sarno S.Kar., as the Head of Tourism Marketing Development, who also welcomed the program and considered it to be in line with Karanganyar tourism vision in 2030. “We support this program as a small step in achieving Karanganyar tourism vision in 2030,” he stated.
Another appreciation was shared by the Dean of Vocational School UNS, Drs. Santoso Tri Hananto, M.Acc., Ak., showed his gratefulness for the success in P2MD program implementation. He also mentioned that collaboration among other programs is necessary for community development efforts. “So that, the output could be diverse and reach various elements of the rural community,” he added.
The Team also received thanks from Segorogunung Village Chief, Tri Harjono, S.Sos., for selecting his village as a community service location. “Thank you to P2MD Gamagrita Team led by Mbak Hilda and supervisor for helping this village development to be more advanced and independent in the future,” he said in his opening remark.
Hilda Sekar Wulandari, as Team Leader, also thanked all parties who helped her Team in implementing their programs. She also mentioned that she learned many things during the process. According to Rysca Indreswari, S.Pt., M.Si., as a team supervisor, the program is an appropriate means of knowledge transfer and implementation of what students learn because, as an agent of change, students need to observe and solve issues in the community.
In the opening ceremony, SV UNS also signed an agreement of collaboration with Segorogunung Village as assisted village and community service site for students. The event was also livened up by Afifah Nuha Prasiswi who sang modern Javanese songs. Humas UNS
Reporter: Zalfaa Azalia Pursita
Editor: Dwi Hastuti