Dari Petani ke Pasar Digital: Inovasi Lemon dan Cincau Hitam untuk Ekonomi Berkelanjutan dengan Pendekatan Community of Practice (CoP)

Abstract

This community service program, titled “From Farmers to the Digital Market: Lemon and Black Grass Jelly Innovations for Sustainable Economics through a Community of Practice (CoP) Approach,” was implemented in collaboration with Kelompok Tani Dadi Mulyo, located in Dusun Tanggung, Ngambarsari Village, Karangtengah Subdistrict, Wonogiri Regency. The program focuses on developing agricultural product innovations by processing lemons into dried lemon slices and lemon powder, and utilizing daun janggelan to produce  grass jelly (cincau hitam), a high-value local commodity. A total of 50 farmers participated directly in the training activities, and through peer-to-peer dissemination and farmer-to-farmer education, the number of beneficiaries was estimated to have expanded to 115 individuals, including farmers, youth, and village staff.  The CoP approach served as the core strategy to strengthen collaboration and shared learning. Regular meetings between farmer groups and the dasawisma facilitated the exchange of experiences, particularly regarding janggelan cultivation. Janggelan farmers enjoy relatively higher welfare levels, making their successful practices a valuable model for other members interested in developing black grass jellybased enterprises.  The program generated seven mass media publications, four educational videos, one article published in JPIM IPB, and a draft manuscript for an international journal. The evaluation results demonstrate a significant increase in farmers’ knowledge and skills related to product innovation, while also reinforcing their networking and collective learning within the CoP framework. Overall, this program enhances the added value of local products and expands farmers’ access to digital markets, thereby supporting the creation of a sustainable rural economy.