Innovation of a Cassava Slicing Machine by Untag Students to Improve Cassava Chip Production Efficiency

Approriate Technology, Subgroup 2, KKN R-7, Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 Surabaya

MOJOKERTO — As a local food commodity, cassava has great economic potential when processed into value-added products such as chips. Cassava chip businesses have even become a major economic backbone in many rural areas. Unfortunately, conventional production methods that still rely on manual slicing cause a number of problems, ranging from long processing times, dependence on physical labor, to inconsistent slice thickness, which affects product quality and production volume.

The cassava slicer developed by this KKN student team is designed as a semi-automatic system using a motor drive and stainless-steel blades with adjustable thickness. Unlike manual slicing, which requires considerable time and effort, this machine is able to slice cassava evenly at a consistent thickness of 2–3 millimeters within minutes. The materials used to build the machine were selected from items readily available in local markets, making the production cost affordable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The idea for developing this tool originated from the KKN students’ observations of the obstacles faced by their partner, a cassava chip SME in Cembor Village. The manual slicing process, which takes 4–5 hours to process 20 kilograms of cassava and easily causes fatigue, was identified as a major production problem. This condition limited production capacity and made it difficult for artisans to meet the continually increasing market demand. “We designed this tool to be easy to operate and simple to maintain,” they explained. The team also provided training on the use and maintenance of the machine so that it can be utilized optimally and sustainably.

Mrs. Rini, the owner of the partner cassava chip SME, admitted that the presence of this machine has been very helpful. “Thank God, now I can produce much more. Previously, I could only process 20 kilograms per day, but now I can process up to 50–100 kilograms of cassava per hour.”

KKN students from the University of 17 August 1945 (Untag) Surabaya have successfully created a cassava slicing machine that multiplies the production efficiency of local SMEs, proving that appropriate technology innovation can significantly boost the productivity of small businesses.

The Untag Surabaya KKN program in Cembor Village demonstrates that a well-targeted community empowerment approach can create significant change. The cassava slicer, born from the students’ sensitivity to real problems in the field, has become a solution that not only increases productivity but also opens wider opportunities for SMEs to grow. This is an ideal example of how science and technology can support the economic progress of the people.

Author: Aliza Dwi Kusuma Marsetyanti