RIAU ISLANDS — A few weeks after the Berdikari (Empowerment and Assistance for Independent Families) Oyster Mushroom Cultivation program began on February 19, 2023, Mrs. Mujiatun and 61 other beneficiaries tried to process the harvested mushrooms into a grilled fish cake. At that time, the unit price of mushroom brains was pegged at Rp. 3,000 (three thousand rupiahs).
When it was first introduced, this product had yet to receive a positive response from the target market. Only some people believe someone will buy a grilled fish cake at that price. In fact, from the members’ side, some are pessimistic. But with the quality formulated by Mrs. Mujiatun, she believes that later there will be those who are interested and the wider the market reach.
“When we first introduced it to people, we couldn’t believe anyone wanted to buy it. Cook grilled fish cake for that price (Rp) 3000. But after one by one people started tasting it, it turned out to be delicious and the price was felt according to the taste and size. Finally, after that, many people bought up,” she said.
Mujiatun’s mother, every day there are always orders. In fact, each beneficiary can now process their own mushrooms in their homes. But for the seasoning of the dough, Mrs. Mujiatun provided it. This then makes all mushroom fish cake production have the same taste.
“So you want to message anyone, it is guaranteed to taste the same,” added the mother of 4 children.
When met by the Dompet Dhuafa Team, he was preparing an order of 1,500 pcs. Now, he is also conducting experiments on other processed mushroom derivatives. Among them are mushroom rendang, crispy mushrooms to mushroom pizza.
Dompet Dhuafa Kepri Program Manager Muhammad Izzuddin Al Hafidz said this program impacts multi-sectors. Among them is in the health sector to help reduce stunting rates. In the economic sector to increase the income of beneficiaries. In the environmental sector, this fungus’s growing medium is wood dust pallet waste.
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Through this program, Mrs. Mujiatun desires that the 20 orphans she fosters not only rely on donations from people but their families must be able to be empowered independently. Well, one way is to empower mothers to have their income.
At the beginning of the program implementation, each beneficiary was capitalized with 10 mushroom logs along with supporting materials. After that, each can harvest as much as 6-8 ounces of mushrooms. Every single log has a harvest distance every 2 weeks.
The Dompet Dhuafa team then had the opportunity to stay in touch with one of the beneficiaries of this program. She is Yuni Alfiah. At that time, he was preparing dozens of boxes of crispy mushrooms and mushroom fish cakes at home. (Dompet Dhuafa/Muthohar)