SURABAYA, JurnalPost.com — A research team from the Universitas Pembangunan Nasional (UPN) “Veteran” East Java provided socialization and mentoring to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) belonging to the Manggarsari MSME Association in the Tambaksari District, Surabaya.
The activity, led by Prof. Diana Hertati, M.Si., took place at the Tambaksari District Office on Saturday, 22 August 2026, from 09.00 to 13.00 WIB.
This mentoring program is part of the university's efforts to support the strengthening of the community's creative economy by improving understanding of product legality and the use of technology in business management.
The Manggarsari MSME Association produces a variety of processed food products and local crafts with significant growth potential. However, business owners still face challenges, particularly regarding product standardization, food labeling, and financial management.
Through this initiative, the UPN “Veteran” East Java team aimed to provide practical knowledge that business owners can apply immediately to improve the quality and competitiveness of their products.
The mentoring session was divided into two main parts. The first session covered aspects of legality, safety, and food product labeling, presented by Rahmawati, M.Sc.
During the presentation, participants received explanations regarding food categorization and labeling procedures in accordance with the regulations of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM).
Product labeling is considered a crucial part of MSME development, as it not only relates to administrative compliance but also serves as a means to provide clear information to consumers about the products they consume.
Through standardized labels, producers can include essential information such as ingredients, food categories, the use of food additives, and nutritional value information.
The understanding of these regulations drew significant attention from the Manggarsari MSME members. Legality and product standardization are essential requirements for business owners looking to expand their marketing networks, including entering modern retail markets.
In this session, participants also learned how to identify food product categories, use permitted food additives, and organize information on packaging.
Implementing good standards is expected to increase consumer trust while strengthening the position of MSME products when marketed more broadly.
Following the discussion on legality and product quality, the activity continued with a session on the digitization of business management, presented by Eka Prakarsa Mandyarta, M.Kom.
In this session, participants were introduced to the digital application SI KASIR as a tool to assist in recording and managing business activities.
The mentoring addressed common issues faced by MSMEs, particularly the reliance on conventional transaction recording and the lack of separation between business and personal finances.
Through the use of SI KASIR, participants were trained to record daily transactions digitally, manage inventory, and monitor sales history in a more structured manner.
The use of digital systems is expected to help MSMEs maintain cleaner financial data, allowing business growth to be monitored and evaluated more easily.
Beyond simplifying record-keeping, digitization can be a first step for MSMEs in implementing data-driven business management.
With organized transaction records, business owners can identify best-selling products, monitor stock movement, and view cash flow conditions more accurately.
The event, which lasted until the afternoon, was both educational and interactive. Participants not only received materials but also had the opportunity to understand the application of technology and regulations directly related to their daily business activities.
The team, led by Prof. Diana Hertati, M.Si., and involving Indira Arundinasari, S.AP., M.AP., along with several other UPN “Veteran” East Java lecturers, hopes that this mentoring will help Manggarsari MSMEs improve their business management capacity incrementally.
This collaboration between the university and the community serves as an implementation of the Tridharma Perguruan Tinggi (Three Pillars of Higher Education), specifically in applying science and technology to meet community needs.
By strengthening product legality and implementing digital financial recording systems, Manggarsari MSMEs are expected to build a stronger business foundation.
The mentoring also opens opportunities for local MSME products to improve quality, expand marketing reach, and build more professional and sustainable businesses amidst the growth of the digital economy.
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