Kulon Progo, May 9, 2026 — The Faculty of Pharmacy at Universitas Gadjah Mada conducted a community engagement program entitled “Empowering the Women of Kulon Progo for the Development of Empon-Empon-Based Pharmaceutical Products through Ginger Quality Standardization Based on 6-Shogaol Content” in Hargotirto Village, Kulon Progo, Special Region of Yogyakarta Province.
This community service program aims to empower rural women, particularly farmers’ wives organized as Srikandi Desa (Village Women’s Group), through the development of safe, high-quality, and value-added pharmaceutical products derived from traditional herbal ingredients (empon-empon). The initiative is a part of the Equity Program Grant from Universitas Gadjah Mada, and reflects the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM’s commitment to strengthening community health and promoting the sustainable utilization of local natural resources.
Ginger was selected as the main commodity due to its significant health benefits and economic potential. However, post-harvest handling and quality standardization based on active compounds remain limited at the community level. Through this program, the community was introduced to ginger quality assessment based on 6-shogaol content as a scientific parameter to ensure the quality and consistency of herbal products.
The activities conducted on May 9, 2026 included program socialization, training sessions and focus group discussions (FGD), as well as workshops and hands-on practice in ginger processing. Participants received guidance on post-harvest processing techniques, preparation of simple herbal formulations, and the application of appropriate household-scale technology to improve product quality and market value.
In addition to technical capacity building, the program also encouraged the establishment of women-led working groups as community-based production units expected to support sustainable local economic growth. The initiative was further strengthened through international collaboration to facilitate knowledge transfer, innovation, and long-term sustainability.
Through this program, the Faculty of Pharmacy UGM targets the enhancement of skills and knowledge among at least 20 women participants, the development of a ginger quality guideline based on 6-shogaol content, and the production of high-quality processed ginger products with added economic value.
The program contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) through the development of safe and standardized herbal pharmaceutical products, SDG 5 (Gender Equality) through women’s empowerment, SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through strengthening local economic opportunities, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through sustainable and standardized herbal production practices.
Writer: Rizqi Vazrin| Editor: Fathul | Photo:
