Functional Food Innovation of Mekai Leaf (Albertisia Papuana Becc.) Catfish Sticks Based on Community Empowerment in Tuwung Village

The community service program in Tuwung Village, Central Kalimantan, aims to address overproduction and fluctuations in catfish prices through downstreaming and food diversification. The solution offered is the transfer of technology for producing catfish sticks seasoned with natural Mekai leaf (Albertisia papuana Becc.) as an organic, non MSG flavor enhancer. The implementation method involved 20 members of the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) group through the stages of pre-test, interdisciplinary extension activities, hands-on practice, introduction of a molding machine and spinner, and post-test. The evaluation results showed a significant increase in the partners’ applied knowledge from 5% to 100%. The grant of appropriate technology assets successfully encouraged the establishment of an embryo of a local MSME supporting village ecotourism.