PROCESSING OF DRAGON FRUIT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN THE LEAF SOP CERIA WOMEN FARMING GROUP AREA

Abstract

Balikpapan City, as one of the strategic regions in East Kalimantan, holds great potential in the fields of agriculture and plantation. One example of this is the presence of the Women's Farming Group (Kelompok Wanita Tani/KWT) "Daun Sop Ceria," located at KM 21, RT 41, Karang Joang Subdistrict. This group is currently developing and possesses various local resources, including dragon fruit as one of its agricultural commodities. However, the utilization of dragon fruit in the area remains suboptimal, with much of the harvest sold only in its fresh form without further processing into higher-value products. As a form of innovation and community empowerment, an initiative was undertaken to process dragon fruit into candy products. This processing utilizes innovative techniques that not only extend the shelf life of the fruit but also significantly enhance its market value. Dragon fruit candy has wide market potential due to its health benefits and its appealing taste and appearance. Through this innovation, it is expected that the income of the KWT Daun Sop Ceria members will increase, thereby strengthening the local economy in a sustainable manner. This initiative also serves as a strategic step in supporting food and economic self-sufficiency, particularly for women in the village.