Tabanan, Rainbow over Ricefields

Mulia Kakao Mandiri Group
To Process Cacao for Cosmetics

The decline engulfing the tourism industry of Bali results in the breakage of Bali’s economy. On that account, many Balinese people resumed to deeply involve in agricultural sector that was once left behind. One of them is the inhabitant of Tajen Village, Tabanan.

When the water resource was ‘sucked’ by investors for the sake of tourism’s interests, they did not raise any objections. The community having minimal education endeavored to find out the new breakthrough to access the market demand by implementing effective and simple technology as well as easy to apply. Barren lands that were never watered have been planted with cacao.
Cacao is planted through intercropping systems with other plants. It is widely cultivated in the midst of coconut or other trees such as albizzia. Even the existence of such trees amongst the coconut trunk is remarkably advantageous for the development of cacao itself. The reason is that it may not be exposed to direct sunlight but only obtains it continuously from the opening of the main plant species.
In fact, the proceeds of cacao cultivation are moderately promising. They are not only dealt with farming profession, but they also have the capability of processing the cacao bean into quality chocolate powder. And for that purpose, the inhabitant of Tajen Village set up a farmer group named Mulia Kakao Mandiri. This village is situated at Penebel sub district, Tabanan Regency or some 35 km northwest of Denpasar.
According to I Nyoman Putrayasa, the Mulia Kakao Mandiri group was established in 2004 after he and friends attended special training for cacao bean processing in Surabaya, East Java. This two-week training was on the recommendation of the Office of Manpower Services of Tabanan Regency. "Having arrived from Surabaya we straightforwardly set up a farmer group with 13 members," he said.
Supplied with skill got during the training, the Mulia Kakao Mandiri then performed a desiccation process for the cacao bean through fermentation. This method is intended to obtain the far better quality cacao and it can be absorbed by chocolate manufacturer. Then, they made tools used to process such beans into chocolate powder. It was made by modifying the flour milling machine. In the meantime, its fat is separated to be used for ingredient of cosmetic, massage, medication of lip breaks and candy. "We remain to use manual device as lacking of capital to develop the cacao processing," he revealed.
Also observed, the cacao bean processing is started from harvesting it from its trunk. Then, its pod is halved to take out its bean. After this, the bean is fermented for 5-6 days. When it has well dried it is fried without oil with temperature at 100o-110o Celsius for 30 minutes. Further step is breaking its bean, taking out its flesh, grinding it into paste and separating its fat and chocolate cake. Eventually, it is packaged in plastic bag and ready to sell.
Pertaining to marketing, Putrayasa admitted that they were facilitated by the Office of Manpower Services of Tabanan Regency by introducing them to the Office of Estate Services of Bali Province. Afterwards, the group was involved as participant of National Business Enterprise at the Inna Grand Bali Beach (2004). By such introduction, it seemed many parties put interest in the products of Mulia Kakao Mandiri, so the group then continued to be given the opportunity to join any exhibition such as at Bali Hotel, Expo in Jakarta and Surabaya.
Then, in June 2006 the Effective Technology Team of Tabanan entrusted the Mulia Kakao Mandiri to represent the Tabanan Regency in the competition of the Bali Provincial level. It achievement was the group coming to the second winner and its product is progressively well known.
Added, cacao plant does not only give benefit through its bean. The skin of its pod is also fruitful for cow’s feed other than grass. As a consequence, cacao plant gives double benefits to farmers, namely its bean is sellable, while the skin of its pod is good of cow’s feed. (BTN/015)