A Model for Strengthening Women's Socioeconomic Empowerment through Soil Mushroom Cultivation-Based Business Incubation

Bengkulu, October 25, 2025 — A team of lecturers from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, led by Prof. M Faiz Barchia., M.Sc, P,hD, conducted a community service activity (PKM) themed “A Model for Strengthening Women’s Socioeconomic Empowerment through Soil Mushroom Cultivation-Based Business Incubation” in Beringin Raya Village, Bengkulu City.

This program is designed as a concrete effort to empower women to increase household economic independence while encouraging sustainable management of local resources. This activity involved the “Rezeki Bersama” Women Farmers Group (KWT), which has been active in agricultural activities and agricultural product processing at the community level.

The activity began with an introduction to community-based micro-enterprise incubation, followed by demonstrations on mushroom growing media preparation, seed inoculation, and harvesting and packaging of edible mushroom products. All stages were conducted in a participatory manner to ensure participants understood the production process thoroughly.

In addition to the technical aspects, this activity provided participants simple entrepreneurship materials, such as business planning, household financial management, and digital marketing strategies through social media. This approach will create a local economic value chain, strengthening women’s roles in environmentally-based productive activities.

Participants’ enthusiasm was high throughout the activity. Most KWT members considered soil mushroom cultivation easy to implement on limited land and could provide an additional source of family income. Evaluation results showed that 88% of participants understood the basic techniques of soil mushroom cultivation, while 93% expressed interest in continuing this activity as a home business.

This community service activity received full support from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, the Beringin Raya Village Government, and the active participation of the local community. Going forward, the community service team plans to continue this program with continued mentoring and the establishment of soil mushroom-based small businesses, so that women in the area can build sustainable economic independence and social justice.