PALMOILMAGAZINE, KETAPANG – On July 8, 2024, PT Kayung Agro Lestari (KAL), a subsidiary of PT Austindo Nusantara Jaya Tbk. (ANJ), held a product diversification training for the villagers of Kuala Tolak, including members of two community business groups, KUBE “PUNYE KITE” and KUBE “NOLAK.” Many of the participants were unemployed, elderly, or from low-income backgrounds.
The training aimed to encourage villagers to develop small and medium enterprises (SMEs) using local resources. KAL hoped that by equipping them with new skills, the villagers could improve their income and quality of life. A key focus of the training was teaching participants how to add value to pineapples by producing items like syrup, dodol (a traditional sweet), and jam.
In addition to technical skills, the participants learned marketing strategies to help them sell their products both locally and online. This approach was designed to help them create high-quality products and expand their market reach.
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Beyond pineapple processing, KAL also introduced product diversification with intercrops, such as making soybean milk, cookies, and cassava chips. These initiatives aimed to boost the local economy, reduce dependence on a single commodity, and make better use of local resources.
Misna, the member of KUBE “NOLAK” was grateful for what KAL supported. She emphasized it would be significant to cooperate among the members to increase the efficiency in their activity. “The supports from KAL would be valuable for us. It is not only about technically maing products but also the market and business management. We believe our village would develop more,” she said.
General Manager of KAL, Dadi said that the training program would be part of the company’s commitment to support the local. “We would be the strategic partner for the local namely the vulnerable groups to develop the potential in the village. We are impressed with their enthusiastic during the training. We believe by conductin sustainable development, they would produce qualified product and would compete in the markets,” Dadi said, as in the official statement, as Palmoilmagazine.com quoted, Sunday (6/10/2024).
The training was the real thing from KAL to empower the local and help to develop the sustainable future. KAL did hope by the program, the villagers would recover not only from the economic challenges but also create better life for the next generations. (P2)
