Penerapan Teknologi Indirect Bed Dryer untuk Peningkatan Produksi Kopra Putih dan Keberdayaan UMKM Berbasis Kelapa di Desa Mekar Karya Lampung Timur - Muhamad Fatikul Arif; Abdul Muhyi; Teny Sylvia; Fina Maulidina; Yoelsin Ajupa Sitohang; Nabila Rizki Ariyani; Keysya Chalifah Ardiyanto Putri (Universitas Malahayati Lampung, 2026)
ABSTRAK Kelompok UMKM Mekar Jaya 4 di Desa Mekar Karya, Kabupaten Lampung Timur, belum memanfaatkan daging kelapa secara optimal akibat keterbatasan teknologi pengeringan, sementara metode pengasapan konvensional menghasilkan kopra bermutu rendah dan bernilai jual rendah. Kegiatan pengabdian ini bertujuan meningkatkan keberdayaan mitra melalui penerapan teknologi indirect bed dryer berbasis biomassa, penguatan kapasitas produksi, dan pendampingan manajemen usaha secara partisipatif. Metode pelaksanaan meliputi focus group discussion, rancang bangun teknologi, pelatihan operasional, serta pendampingan dan evaluasi berkelanjutan. Hasil kegiatan menunjukkan teknologi pengering berhasil diterapkan dan dioperasikan mandiri oleh mitra, meningkatkan mutu kopra putih, kapasitas produksi dan manajemen, serta level keberdayaan mitra. Pemanfaatan sabut kelapa sebagai bahan bakar pengering turut mendukung pendekatan circular economy dan zero waste. Kegiatan ini menghasilkan model pemberdayaan berbasis teknologi tepat guna yang berpotensi direplikasi pada UMKM pengolahan kelapa di wilayah lain. Kata Kunci: Kopra Putih, Indirect Bed Dryer, UMKM, Zero Waste, Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat ABSTRACT Limited drying technology has constrained the utilization of coconut meat by the UMKM Mekar Jaya 4 group in Mekar Karya Village, East Lampung, while conventional smoking methods produce dark copra with unstable moisture content and low market value. This community empowerment program aimed to improve partner capacity through biomass-fueled indirect bed dryer technology, technical production training, and business management assistance using a participatory approach. The program was implemented through focus group discussions, technology design and deployment, training, and continuous mentoring and evaluation. Results showed successful implementation of the drying system, independent operation by the partners, improved uniformity of white copra quality, and increased empowerment levels in production and management aspects. The use of coconut husk waste as drying fuel also supports a circular economy and zero-waste approach. This program offers an integrative technology-based empowerment model with replication potential for coconut-processing MSMEs. Keywords: White Copra, Indirect Bed Dryer, UMKM, Zero Waste, Community Empowerment.