GDP UMI–UMMA Strengthens the Economy of Bentenge Village through Coffee Technology and the Creative Economy
The Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) lecturer team collaborates with Maros Muslim University (UMMA) to implement the 2026 Assisted Village Empowerment Program (GDP).
entitled "GDP Strengthening the Economy of Bentenge Village through Innovation and Technology in Managing Local Potential" in Bentenge Village, Mallawa District, Maros Regency. This program is funded by the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM), Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek).
The activity involved four interdisciplinary lecturers from UMI and UMMA together with four UMI students, with two main partners, namely the Kariango Coffee Farmers Group chaired by Muhammad Arsyad and KPE Padang Loang chaired by M. Ilyas, and received support from the Bentenge Village Government under the leadership of Village Head Rahmat Basuki.
"Our hope is that Bentenge coffee will not only provide economic value from its harvest, but will also become a driver for various derivative economic activities. Farmers will be strengthened in terms of production and business management, while KPE Padang Loang will develop creative products that strengthen the identity of Bentenge Village as a tourist village," he said.
entitled "GDP Strengthening the Economy of Bentenge Village through Innovation and Technology in Managing Local Potential" in Bentenge Village, Mallawa District, Maros Regency. This program is funded by the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM), Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek).
The activity involved four interdisciplinary lecturers from UMI and UMMA together with four UMI students, with two main partners, namely the Kariango Coffee Farmers Group chaired by Muhammad Arsyad and KPE Padang Loang chaired by M. Ilyas, and received support from the Bentenge Village Government under the leadership of Village Head Rahmat Basuki.
At KT Kopi Kariango, the team provides appropriate technology in the form of pulper and huller machines to support the post-harvest coffee process. Both machines have been used by the group and are considered to help increase coffee processing capacity. Activities also include counseling on coffee cultivation and post-harvest, training on making compost and liquid organic fertilizer (POC), as well as strengthening management through bookkeeping and training on the use of simple financial applications. The group is now starting to record finances, including machine usage transactions.
Meanwhile, at KPE Padang Loang, the team provided design assistance using Canva Pro, as well as sublimation printer facilities, heat press machines and t-shirts for production practice. Partners also received training in making coffee soap as a typical souvenir from Bentenge Village. T-shirts and coffee soap products have begun to be produced and commercialized by partners.
PDB Team Leader, apt. Nurmaya Effendi, S.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D., said that this activity was not only oriented towards providing tools, but also towards transferring knowledge and improving community skills."Our hope is that Bentenge coffee will not only provide economic value from its harvest, but will also become a driver for various derivative economic activities. Farmers will be strengthened in terms of production and business management, while KPE Padang Loang will develop creative products that strengthen the identity of Bentenge Village as a tourist village," he said.
The Head of Bentenge Village, Rahmat Basuki, appreciated the program because it was considered to be in line with community needs, especially in increasing coffee processing capacity and opening up opportunities for developing village souvenirs.
Through the synergy of universities, village government, farmer groups, and Pokdarwis, this GDP is expected to strengthen the local economy based on coffee, appropriate technology, creative economy, and tourism in Bentenge Village in a sustainable manner.
