Evaluation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as Process Innovation in the Development of Melinjo Chips Agroindustry in Aceh

Abstract

Kabupaten Pidie in Provinsi Aceh produces more than 6.000 ton melinjo beans annually, which mostly are processed into melinjo chips. In the past, melinjo chips were exported to Malaysia and Singapore, but nowadays its market could only reach the local market. One of the affecting factors is Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) or CPPB-IRT which allows SMEs to market their product in grocery stores and outside local markets. Therefore, it is needed to evaluate the current GMP of production process and the quality of the products. The research aims to (1) to provide a better understanding of the current melinjo chip SMEs condition, (2) to identify the gap between current production process and GMP standard, (3) to identify the gap between current product quality and SNI, and (4) to provide recommendations that might be acceptable and applied to address the problem. The research was conducted from January 2020 to January 2022. Samples were collected from Pasar Melinjo Beureunun, Pidie Regency, Aceh Province. The exploratory case study methodology is applied in this study. This research was conducted through four stages, which are: (1) Identification of the melinjo chips SMEs profile in Beureunun; (2) Identification of the gap between GMP and current manufacturing process; (3) Identification of gap between SNI and melinjo chip product; and (4) Identification of technology adoption that might be acceptable and applied to address the problem. The results showed that there are still gap between GMP and current manufacturing process at 12 points within 8 categories of GMP. In addition, the products are not matched with SNI criterias, have inconsistency of quality, and the grading systems are not yet standardised. To address these issues, it is recommended to form of a standardised production process, grading table, and FIFO storage system.