A research team from Stisipol Candradimuka led by Deby Chintia Hestiriniah and colleagues implemented a rural economic strengthening program through the development of an appropriate technology-based coffee agroindustry in Keban Agung Village, Lahat Regency, South Sumatra, from January to April 2026. This program is crucial to boost the welfare of rural communities, which has long been constrained by low productivity and traditional post-harvest management.
Most residents of Keban Agung Village rely on the robusta coffee plantation sector passed down through generations. However, monoculture farming practices without sustainable innovation and the excessive use of chemical fertilizers have reduced soil quality and land productivity year after year. In addition, the lack of adequate post-harvest processing facilities forces farmers to sell their harvests in the form of raw coffee beans to middlemen at low selling prices.
To address these challenges, this community service program used a participatory approach involving 55 participants, consisting of farmer groups, village apparatus, and representatives of women and youth. The series of activities included socialization on environmentally friendly agriculture, intercropping system training to maintain soil fertility, mentoring on the use of post-harvest processing machines such as huller machines, and training in brand design and digital marketing.
The main results of this program implementation indicate significant achievements:
- Increased understanding among farmers regarding the concept of sustainable agriculture and soil conservation techniques through the intercropping system.
- Improvement in the quality and selling value of coffee bean products thanks to the application of post-harvest processing technology.
- Expansion of market access for local coffee products outside the Lahat Regency area through the implementation of digital-based marketing strategies.
- Involvement of women in product packaging and the active participation of village youth in social media promotion inclusively.
According to Deby Chintia Hestiriniah and the research team from Stisipol Candradimuka, this community empowerment-based approach has successfully fostered sustainable rural economic independence. This step not only cuts farmers' dependence on chemical fertilizers and middlemen, but also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in aspects of poverty alleviation, economic growth, and climate change management. Local governments and educational institutions are expected to continue providing ongoing assistance and strengthening the institutional capacity of farmer groups to maintain the competitiveness of the local coffee agroindustry.
Author Profile
- Deby Chintia Hestiriniah, Lishapsari Prihatini, Nopriawan Mahriadi, Ahmad Roziqin – Academics and Researchers from Stisipol Candradimuka, Indonesia.
- Weria Handyani, Fernando Agung Pribadi – Researchers from the Master of Public Administration Science Program at Stisipol Candradimuka, Indonesia.
Research Source
- Article Title: Strengthening the Rural Economy through Coffee Agroindustry and Appropriate Technology in Lahat Regency, South Sumatra
- Journal Name: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Bestari (JPMB)
- Publication Year: 2026
- DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55927/jpmb.v5i7.49 - Official URL:
https://journaljpmb.my.id/index.php/jpmb
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