Utilization of a Paddy Thresher Machine to Increase Production Capacity of the Makmur Mandiri Farmers’ Group in Boangmanalu Village, Pakpak Bharat Regency

Saronom Silaban (Universitas Negeri Medan)
Purwandari Nur Tristianingsih (Universitas Negeri Medan)
Sabda Dian Nurani Siahaan (Universitas Negeri Medan)
Juniar Hutahaen (Universitas Negeri Medan)
Siti Ulgari (Universitas Negeri Medan)

Jurnal Pengabdian UNDIKMA
Vol. 7 No. 4 (2026): November (IN PRESS)

Manual rice threshing remains a major bottleneck in rural post-harvest operations, contributing to low operational efficiency, high labor demands, and potential grain losses. This community service program aims to improve post-harvest efficiency and operational capacity among members of the Makmur Mandiri Farmers’ Group in Boangmanalu Village, Pakpak Bharat Regency, by introducing and implementing mechanical rice threshing technology. The program involved 20 farmers and was conducted through five structured stages: socialization, hands-on training, technology implementation, mentoring, and evaluation. The results showed that the use of a mechanical rice thresher increased threshing capacity to approximately 100 kg per hour, achieving a processing rate approximately five times higher than that of traditional manual methods while reducing farmers’ physical workload. Furthermore, collective ownership of the machine reduced the group's dependence on costly external equipment rental services, which typically cost IDR 850,000–1,250,000 per hectare. The formal handover of the equipment, combined with practical training in operation and maintenance, enabled group members to acquire the skills necessary to operate and maintain the technology independently. Overall, the adoption of appropriate post-harvest technology provides tangible benefits in improving agricultural operational efficiency and strengthening the institutional capacity of farmer groups.