Wijaya Putra University (UWP) Community Service Team in Surabaya City is providing intensive mentoring for milkfish processing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Tambak Dana, Sumber Rejo Village, Pakal District, Surabaya City.

The mentoring program aims to increase the production capacity and competitiveness of the MSMEs participating in the UWP PKM program. The UWP team involved was led by PKM Executive Chair Novita Maulida Ikmal and two members, Dwi Hardaningtyas and Subaderi.

"The mentoring program has been designed with a series of measurable interventions. One of these is ergonomics training to reorganize the production space to make it more efficient and meet hygienic standards," said PKM Executive Chair Novita Maulida Ikmal, while accompanying UWP Rector Budi Endarto at the UWP Benowo Campus in Surabaya on Thursday (September 25, 2025).

According to Novita, a lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) at UWP, the PKM Team also provided assistance in the halal certification process. Previously, partners only had a Business Identification Number (NIB), so the addition of halal certification is expected to increase consumer confidence and expand market reach.

The multi-year program, from June to November 2025, focuses on comprehensive assistance, covering aspects of production and marketing. The partner MSMEs currently being assisted produce various milkfish products, including milkfish otak-otak (otak), presto milkfish, grilled milkfish, and teplok spiced milkfish.

In terms of marketing, Novita explained, the team, consisting of FISIP students, actively assists MSME partners in creating online sales accounts on various popular platforms, such as TikTok and Shopee. "This step is expected to open up broader market opportunities, considering that previously sales were only conducted conventionally through stalls, markets, or WhatsApp messages."

Furthermore, she said, the UWP PKM team provided assistance with appropriate technology, such as a 20 kg pressure cooker to replace the 3 kg household pressure cooker, and a milkfish grilling machine capable of processing seven milkfish in 5-10 minutes. "The process has become much more efficient compared to the previous process, which only processed three milkfish in 20 minutes."

Novita said the results of the mentoring process are already visible. There has been a significant increase in pressure cooker milkfish production capacity, from around 18 kg to 40-45 kg per week. "By using appropriate technology, time savings have been achieved. Production has also increased, especially in the grilling process."

Furthermore, the assistance of supporting equipment such as a spice grinder, a vacuum sealer to maintain product hygiene, and a large-capacity freezer allows partners to store stocks of marinated milkfish.

"This overcomes the previous obstacle, where partners had to source raw materials for every sudden order, so now we can fulfill orders at any time," Novita added.

Supriyanto, a partner of the Cheisya Kitchen MSME, stated that the mentoring provided by the Surabaya Student Activity Unit (PKM UWP) has significantly contributed to increasing the value of his business.

Furthermore, he said, milkfish processing MSMEs in Surabaya have significant potential to continue growing by improving product quality, expanding market reach, and thus making a more significant contribution to the local economy.

"With increased production capacity, business sustainability is more assured. Thanks to the team of lecturers implementing the community service, Cheisya Kitchen can provide the best service to consumers who enjoy milkfish processing," he said.