Peningkatan Produktivitas dan Nilai Tambah Komoditas Jagung melalui Implementasi Teknologi Tepat Guna

Abstract

This Community Partnership Program aimed to enhance post-harvest productivity and the economic added value of corn in Sala Bulan Village, Sibolangit District, Deli Serdang Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia. The partner farmer group consists of 25 active farmers cultivating approximately 12 hectares with an average yield of 18 tons per season. Pre-program conditions revealed that manual shelling required 6–8 hours per 100 kg of corn, unshelled cobs were sold at IDR 3,300/kg, and a collective asset management system was absent. A Participatory Action Research approach was implemented in five stages between November 2025 and July 2026, comprising a needs survey, design and fabrication of a 1-HP electric-motor sheller, SOP and occupational safety and health socialization along with technical training, managerial mentoring on collective governance, and evaluation of work efficiency and income. Post-program measurements on 30 direct beneficiaries (25 farmer members and 5 local extension personnel) showed a 70% improvement in work-time efficiency, a 33.3% increase in net income per 100 kg of cob input (from IDR 330,000 to IDR 440,000 at an 80% shelling recovery rate), and a dried shelled corn selling price of IDR 5,500/kg. Beyond technical outcomes, the program institutionalized a collective machine-usage schedule, shared bookkeeping, and a spare-part reserve fund that ensure post-project sustainability, thereby strengthening the long-term welfare of smallholder corn farmers.