PKM BIMA, Ministry of Education and Culture, Unismuh Makassar, trains KTH Rimba Lestari in Cold Brew and Drip Bag Coffee Production

UNISMUH.AC.ID, GOWA — The Muhammadiyah University (Unismuh) Makassar, through the Community Partnership Program (PKM) Innovative and Application Management (BIMA) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology, and Research, is training the Rimba Lestari Forest Farmer Group in Erelembang Village, Gowa Regency. This training focuses on diversifying local coffee products into Cold Brew and Drip Bag, while also strengthening agroforestry-based marketing. August 8, 2025

This activity, attended by dozens of members of the KTH, representatives of the village government, and community leaders, aims to increase farmers' capacity to process high-value coffee. The Unismuh Makassar PKM team, led by Rahmat Ariandi, S.Hut., M.Hut., consisting of Ir. Jauhar Mukti, S.Hut., M.Hut., IPM, and Muh. Ikmal Saleh, S.P., M.Si, and three students from the Faculty of Agriculture.

Rahmat Ariandi explained that the training not only focuses on technical skills but also supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Ecosystem Conservation).
"Erelembang coffee should not only be sold raw at a low price. With Cold Brew and Drip Bag, its value can increase, farmers will earn additional income, the environment will be protected, and the identity of local coffee will be stronger in the market," he said.

According to Rahmat, the program also contributes to the university's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including KPI 2 (student experience outside the campus) and KPI 5 (utilization of faculty work by the community). From Asta Cita's perspective, this activity encourages national self-sufficiency through the strengthening of creative economic activities based on local resources.

"This is just the first step. Our target is to help the KTH obtain product certification, expand digital marketing, and build a professional and sustainable business management," he said.

The training also included a demonstration of making Erelembang-specific Cold Brew and Drip Bag. Jauhar Mukti guided the participants from seed selection, roasting, grinding, to packaging. Meanwhile, Muh. Ikmal Saleh presented a strategy of selling through social media and e-commerce, with an emphasis on the importance of branding before entering a wider market.

The head of the Rimba Lestari KTH, Nanji Alle, said that the training opened up new horizons for farmers. "We have only been selling raw coffee at a low price. Cold Brew and Drip Bag have never been in Gowa. This is a great opportunity, especially if accompanied by equipment support," he said. The same sentiment was expressed by Arfan, a representative of Erelembang Village, who considered the program strategic because it utilized the wealth of robusta and arabica coffee that grows in the same location.

Through the synergy of universities, government, and communities, Erelembang coffee is expected to penetrate a wider market. Not only to move the village economy, but also to make local coffee a high-competitive regional product.