Village Economic Transformation through Digital-Based Sacha Inchi Agroindustry: A Participatory Rural Empowerment Case Study from Gorontalo

Yuszda K. Salimi; Lanto Ningrayati Amali; Umar Sako Baderan; Yoyanda Bait

doi:10.35568/abdimas.v9i1.7590

Authors

Yuszda K. Salimi Department of Chemistry, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Lanto Ningrayati Amali Department of Information Systems, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Umar Sako Baderan Department of Public Administration, Universitas Muhammadiyah Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia
Yoyanda Bait Department of Food Science and Technology, Universitas Negeri Gorontalo, Gorontalo, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35568/abdimas.v9i1.7590

Keywords:

Village Economic Transformation, Sacha Inchi Agroindustry, Digital Rural Development, Participatory Rural Appraisal, Bumdes, Digital Literacy

Abstract

This study examines rural economic transformation through a participatory digital agroindustrial intervention based on Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) in Tabongo Timur Village, Gorontalo. Using an integrated Rapid Rural Appraisal–Participatory Rural Appraisal (RRA–PRA) framework, the program engaged farmers, the village-owned enterprise (BUMDes), women, and youth across cultivation, processing, and digital marketing. Following technical training, processing technology adoption, and e-commerce-based commercialization, seed productivity increased to 200–300 kg/month, while farmer incomes rose by approximately two to three times. The implementation of a hydraulic press and GMP-based SOPs enhanced oil production capacity and product consistency, and BUMDes turnover increased by around 300% with broadened access to modern retail outlets and online marketplaces. Community digital literacy increased from ~15% to ~85%, with youth and women playing key operational roles. This study proposes a replicable framework for integrating participatory governance, digital agroindustry, and village enterprises to achieve inclusive and sustainable rural economic transformation.

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