On 5-6 March 2024, at the Jelita Hotel Hall, Tuapejat, Sipora, Mentawai, SHEEP Indonesia Foundation (YSI) Sipora region together with 21 participants from each of the Base Community Organisations (OMB) in 5 assisted villages, held a marketing training activity for local food products of taro and banana with the theme "Maintaining Mentawai Local Food Identity". This training was conducted as a step to encourage and improve understanding and skills in marketing local food products, especially taro and banana (known as Gettek and Baggok).
This training is a concrete step in maintaining the identity and encouraging local food independence in Mentawai. This is in line with the fact that the percentage of local food consumption in Mentawai is decreasing, which was revealed through the introduction of Ikbal Herdiyansyah, Sipora area manager.
Resource persons from the Integrated Business Service Centre (PLUT) of the Cooperative and SME Office of West Sumatra Province, namely Gina Wahyuni and Ananda Raihan, provided in-depth insights into local food product marketing strategies. Participants were invited to understand digital marketing strategies, including taking product photos and analysing consumer segmentation; in practice, participants were invited to practice directly in taking and editing product photos to increase visual appeal in marketing. They were also taught to analyse marketing strategies according to the product's unique value, reachable marketing network, and consumer segmentation.
Statements from stakeholders, such as the Sipora Area Manager, Assistant 1 for Government and People's Welfare of the Mentawai Islands District Secretary, and Secretary of the Mentawai Islands Perindagkop District Office, confirmed the shared commitment to safeguard and develop local food as Mentawai's main asset.
This training is a follow-up step to the post-harvest commodity processing programme which aims to provide guidance to members of the Basis Community Organisation (OMB) so that they can develop effective marketing strategies, and be able to reach a wider market. This activity will be continued periodically in each OMB through collaboration between the government, SHEEP Indonesia Foundation (YSI) as the assisting partner, and the community as the implementer.