PEMBERDAYAAN EKONOMI PESANTREN BERBASIS LOKAL: PENDAMPINGAN NILAI TAMBAH GURAMI DI PESANTREN AL-AZHAR AL-HAMIDY JEMBER

Abstrak

Pesantren often face significant challenges in increasing the selling value of their aquaculture products due to limited access to technology, innovation, and market networks. This study describes an empowerment assistance program implemented at Pesantren Al-Azhar Al-Hamidy Jember, which integrates biofloc aquaculture technology with product innovation to enhance economic sustainability. Prior to the program, the harvested fish—primarily gourami—were sold in bulk to middlemen at low prices, limiting the economic benefits for the pesantren. Through the Kuliah Kerja Nyata (KKN) program, students provided support in the development of value-added products in the form of frozen marinated gourami using vacuum packaging to improve shelf life and marketability. In addition to product development, the program also included assistance in creative branding, attractive product design, and digital marketing strategies to expand market reach and appeal to modern consumers. The implementation of this program significantly improved the entrepreneurial knowledge and skills of both santri (students) and pesantren management. Furthermore, the pesantren plans to sustain this initiative by incorporating aquaculture and product processing into extracurricular learning. This program demonstrates a replicable model of community-based economic empowerment through the integration of local potential and modern innovation, offering a pathway for other pesantren in Indonesia to develop similar initiatives.