Nutmeg Syrup House, a House that Supports the Economy of Women at KUPS Bayang Bungo Indah

The Bayang Bungo Indah Group is a women's business group founded in 2016 in Nagari Kapujan Koto Barapak, West Sumatra. The group has developed a business in the management of non-timber forest products after the Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD) of Nagari Kapujan Koto Barapak obtained legal access to social forestry management from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) in 2018. Their status has also changed to a Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS) with successive approvals in 2019 and 2021 regarding the formation of KUPS and the use of community forests.

Since 2017 until now, the focus of the business group consisting of 68 women has been on the production of nutmeg syrup. The background of this production is because they see the potential of nutmeg in Nagari Kapujan Koto Barapak as the largest in the region, but the processing and management of nutmeg is not yet optimal. The area affected by the production intervention that has been carried out is 25,12 hectares. The nutmeg syrup product has been marketed within the province and outside, such as in Jakarta, through Wahana Lingkungan Hidup (WALHI) West Sumatra and cooperation with other organizations. 

In terms of nutmeg syrup production, KUPS Bayang Bungo Indah has experienced obstacles in terms of production location. So far, the production house used as the location for making nutmeg syrup has been rented. With this status, it is difficult for KUPS Bayang Bungo Indah to develop their collective business. With the increase in house rental costs every year, it certainly reduces KUPS Bayang Bungo Indah's efforts to collect capital.

Therefore, KUPS Bayang Bungo Indah accessed Nusantara Fund funding to build a production house. The production house building will be a shared asset. The construction of a production house can certainly reduce production costs that have been cut by rental costs, and will also affect the quality and quantity of products with the addition of production capital. The location search process was carried out in a participatory manner until it was decided to build a production house in Jambak Putih Hamlet, Parit Rantang Village on land measuring 4,5 meters x 13 meters. The inauguration of the building, which also became the first day of use of the nutmeg syrup production house, was carried out in early September 2024.

Despite the various obstacles that occurred during the construction, the KUPS Bayang Bungo Indah production house has had a significant impact. After KUPS Bayang Bungo Indah had its own production house assets, nutmeg syrup production increased by 20%. Production costs are also safe because now they no longer need to set aside part of their income to pay for house rent. The results of this program directly benefit 68 women members of KUPS Bayang Bungo Indah. A broader impact, considering the existence of a production house that makes a direct contribution to the community of Nagari Kapujan Koto Barapak, this program has the potential to benefit at least 1.803 people.