Innovative post-harvested processing activation program for potential local agro-based food commodity using design thinking approach (Case Study: Keladi Tuber (Caladium bicolor Vent.) commodity in Manokwari, West Papua)

Abstract

Sustainable product development in the rural area has different challenges that need to discuss, such as the condition of the culture of the community, nature and the context of its locality. Manokwari, Papua, in eastern Indonesia, has a high complexity in advancing its human resources with the potential of local food commodity. This research used Participatory Action Research (PAR) methods. Action Research was done by activating the community to grow prosperity through product development using Design Thinking approach through six stages; 1) observe, 2) define, 3) ideation, 4) prototyping and 5) storytelling or testing and 6) validation, which presents an accurate information, begin with a human-oriented approach to capture the real basic needs of the community that must be addressed. This research was carried out for trial local commodity development, Keladi tuber (Caladium bicolor Vent.) in Manokwari, West Papua, which processed with minimal added value, so the challenge is to increase community’s capacity and innovation in processing it. This research captures trends and society’s dynamics map from people’s daily experiences as information for synthesizing problems and organize creative solutions. The result forms activation plans for post-harvest commodity processing: 1) recommendations for strategic development steps, 2) post-harvest processing, 3) raw material stocks system, 4) diversification of derivative product and formulations, 5) activation of village-city hubs as a link with potential marketing area, and 6) downstream activation in the marketing area for wider market penetration.