INFOKU, BLORA -The village government of Kedungrejo, Tunjungan District, Blora Regency, Central Java continues to make use of the village's potential which is expected to become an icon in the local area.
One of them is the emping melinjo business which is occupied by a number of residents in Dukuh Gendongan, Kedungrejo Village.
"There are still hundreds of melinjo trees that thrive in the residents' yards and have the potential to be developed for businesses. They are even expected to become an icon of Kedungrejo Village," said Muhaji, one of the Kedungrejo Village officials, Friday (9/6/2023).
This, he said, had proven that orders for melinjo chips from Dukuh Gendongan had penetrated the market. Moreover, it is supported that training has been held for making melinjo chips.
“So there are quite a lot of materials, it's just that the management is not optimal. Plus the road access is also not comfortable to pass, "he added.
The Head of Kedungrejo Village, Sutana, confirmed that there are many village potentials that can be developed to improve the community's economy.
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One of them is emping melinjo. There are lots of trees in Dukuh Gendongan here. So there are also a lot of materials, a lot of human resources.
"But yes, the production of emping melinjo is still manual and traditional by pounding or beating it slowly, so what we need now is the help of modern equipment (melinjo press machine, red)," said Sutana.
Modern equipment is needed so that the process of making emping melinjo can be faster and does not take a long time.
Due to aching rheumatic pain from pounding melinjo, some residents abandoned the emping melinjo business. Even melinjo fruit (ingredient) is cheap, only IDR 3,500/kg.
Some tree owners let the melinjo fruit fall, some invite those who are interested to pick it. "It's a pity, this is potential. So we need modern equipment," he said.
If there is a modern tool, maybe what is usually done in one day can be completed in one hour and can reach the target. So that his party hopes that the concern from related parties can give serious attention.
Meanwhile Lina, a resident of Dukuh Gendongan who is still working on the emping melinjo business, admitted that the proceeds from the sales are to supplement the family's income.
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He has been doing the emping melinjo business for a long time, but he has to be patient, if his hands are sore, he should rest. For actual orders.
"I packed some of the fried melinjo chips in plastic and left them at the shop. The price for raw melinjo chips is Rp. 70,000.00/kg," said Lina.
