Heru Pramudia, Mike Triani, Arief Maulana
Universitas Negeri Padang
E-Mail: pramudia.heru@ffp.unp.ac.id, miketriani@fe.unp.ac.id, arief@fe.unp.ac.id
ABSTRAK
Cocoa is one of West Sumatera’s plantation commodities which also plays an important role as a producer of regional income, as well as providing employment and income sources for farmers. World demand for cocoa is still very high that every year has increased. Koperasi Kakao Mandiri Prima is one of the leading cooperatives in Jorong Cubadak District Five Kaum Tanah Datar regency. This cooperative is very close to the tourist destination of Istano Pagaruyung Batusangkar. With the tourism activities of course processed chocolate products can be souvenirs typical of this area.Koperasi Prima Mandiri Prima has a member of 46 people who are reliable in managing cocoa plantations, there are two obstacles in terms of planting. The first processing of cocoa beans has not experienced the fermentation stage so that the post-harvest quality is less. The two new cocoa beans processed in the form of cocoa powder and not yet produced as a processed chocolate products that can be souvenir for tourists. The method of implementation of this activity will be carried out with group discussion and material understanding for participants of Cocoa farmer members. Based on the results of the group discussion and the delivery of the material, the participants stated that they failed to implement the fermentation of cocoa beans into a quality chocolate. This is because they do not understand technically the process. This is certainly one of the problems for the government to increase cocoa production in the area. Furthermore, there has been no introduction and training in processing cocoa beans into processed food products that can increase the income of local communities. Therefore, it is necessary to review how the development of cocoa seed products in this flat land regency in order to increase the income of cocoa farmers and to increase the added value of production.
KEYWORDS: Value added Production, Income and Welfare.