Empowerment of Harapan Farmer Group through Innovation of Processed Orange Peel Products

This community service activity was conducted at the Harapan Farmers Group in Jorong Baruah Gunuang, Bukit Barisan
District, addressing the challenges of low income and underutilized orange peel waste. The primary objective of this initiative
was to enhance the community's income by introducing innovative methods for processing orange peel into economically
valuable products, such as candied orange peel, orange jam, orange jelly, and natural pesticides. Additionally, the project aimed
to improve knowledge in processing management and the results of the innovation. The methods employed in this activity
included counseling, training, and direct assistance to farmer group members. The results demonstrated a significant increase
in knowledge, from 42% to 91%, and the development of skills in processing orange peels and orange juice from leftover
oranges that were previously sold to middlemen. As a result, several innovative orange-based products were created, along
with new business opportunities that hold potential for increasing the group’s income. Furthermore, a product brand has been
established, and the process of obtaining a PIRT (Indonesian Food and Beverage Safety Certificate) from the Health Office is
underway. This community service activity not only addresses environmental issues by utilizing orange peel waste but also
provides economic value to the community, offering a sustainable solution to both environmental and economic challenges