STRATEGY FOR EMPOWERMENT OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSMEs) FOOD SECTOR BY THE OFFICE OF COOPERATIVES, SMALL/MICRO BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY OF BALANGAN REGENCY

Abstract

Community-based development refers to the needs of the community. It is necessary to utilize the potential of community resources; human qualifications that have innovative skills are a requirement to achieve prosperity. Now as much as 60% of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is engaged in the food sector. Problems in empowering MSMEs in Balangan Regency are low product competitiveness, limited infrastructure and food technology used. This study aims to analyze the strategy for empowering MSMEs in the food sector at the MSME Cooperative and Industry Service in Balangan Regency. This study uses a qualitative approach. Data were collected through interviews, observation, and documentation. Informants are employees of the Cooperatives, Small Business/Mikto and Industry Offices who handle the Empowerment of MSMEs in the food sector for a minimum of two years of work, MSME actors in the food sector for a minimum of two years of operation, and activists for Institutional Empowerment related to MSME Empowerment for a minimum of two years. Data were analyzed using SWOT analysis technique. The results show that the inhibiting factors include unprofessional management, limited capital, unqualified product quality, relatively expensive product prices, and unattractive product packaging designs. The challenges experienced include budget reductions, placement of human resources for personnel who are not in accordance with competence, the Covid-19 pandemic, locations that are difficult to reach, limited capital and raw materials, low entrepreneurial spirit, competition for similar products from outside the region, and often used as side businesses.