Inovasi Pengolahan Minyak Kemiri Sebagai Penggerak Ekonomi Kreatif Di Desa Kowi Kecamatan Mego Kabupaten Sikka

Abstract

Candlenut (Aleurites moluccana) is a local commodity with the potential to be developed into a value-added product. However, the utilization of candlenut in Kowi Village, Mego District, Sikka Regency, remains limited to basic food and household needs. This community service activity aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of the community—specifically the PKK (Family Welfare Empowerment) women of Kowi Village—in processing candlenut kernels into pure candlenut oil, while also providing an understanding of product branding and marketing. The activity was conducted on July 22, 2026, through several stages: observation, outreach, preparation of tools and materials, processing training, filtration, packaging, and guidance on product branding. The candlenut oil production process involves raw material selection, roasting, grinding, extraction, filtration, and packaging. The results indicate that the community was able to understand and practice the candlenut oil processing method using simple equipment available in their local environment. Furthermore, participants gained knowledge regarding the importance of product identity—encompassing product names, logos, label designs, local identity, and product information—as part of a branding strategy. This activity demonstrates that processing candlenut kernels into oil represents an innovative use of local resources with the potential to increase the value of agricultural produce, create business opportunities, and support the empowerment and economic improvement of the Kowi Village community.