On Saturday, July 12, 2025, and Wednesday, July 23, 2025, the Fisheries Processing Club (FPC) of FPK UNAIR conducted a fish processing training program as part of the BERKAH initiative (Empowering Smoked Fish into Various Creative Products) at the Penatarsewu Village Hall, Tanggulangin District, Sidoarjo Regency. This program aims to enhance local community skills in fish product processing and create household economic opportunities through innovation based on local potential.
The training targeted 15 participants, including PKK mothers, members of the local Aisyiyah women’s community, small-scale MSME entrepreneurs, and residents interested in fish processing, especially smoked fish. All participants actively joined both sessions of the program. The first session on July 12 focused on diversifying smoked fish into various chili sauce products, while the second session on July 23 trained participants in producing smoked fish floss. Despite a slight delay on the first day due to the Posyandu program also using the village hall, prior coordination and flexible scheduling allowed the training to proceed smoothly, ensuring that all materials were fully delivered. The second session ran on schedule, with participants demonstrating even higher enthusiasm, actively engaging not only in the production process but also in discussions on packaging, marketing strategies, and potential product development for smoked fish.
Technically, all participants successfully produced smoked fish products in the form of chili sauce and floss. The smoked fish chili sauce was noted for its spicy and savory flavor, tailored to local tastes. While the fish floss achieved good flavor, a slightly higher moisture level remained due to shortened drying time to accommodate participants’ convenience, providing valuable technical feedback for future training sessions. Beyond production, participants were briefly introduced to product packaging, the use of pouch packaging, and the importance of visual presentation in attracting consumer interest.
This training program is expected to provide immediate benefits by improving technical skills in fish product processing and long-term benefits by opening opportunities for home-based businesses. Participants’ active questions and discussions indicate strong potential for further development through continued mentoring, marketing training, and expanded business networks, reflecting FPK UNAIR’s commitment to community empowerment and applied research initiatives.
