| Abstrakt: |
Integration of the cocoa production stages could increase the opportunity to reach higher production capacity and revenue. Based on this recommendation, the shortcut method has been introduced by eliminating the pressing and powdering process, the production line is shortened until the cocoa liquor production. This intermediate product can be directly processed into various downstream products. This study aimed to optimize the production capacity using a shortcut to increase SMEs' income. The methods used in this study were a technology review, audit, and techno-economic analysis that includes data collection by interviews, interactive discussions, and field surveys for making inventory types of equipment, observing, measuring, and testing the technical aspects. Analysis of data and evaluation were carried out using quantitative and qualitative methods. The techno-economic analysis was also performed to evaluate the feasibility of the business by determining the NPV and BC ratio. The study was conducted in a cocoa SME in the Luwu Regency of South Sulawesi. The results showed without implementing a shortcut method, SMEs could produce 80 kg of powder and 40 kg of cocoa butter per month, equivalent to 160 dried beans per month. The shortcut method could increase the capacity to 5,000 kg of dried beans or 4,000 kg of liquor per month. The processing costs were reduced 30 times lower, so the income increased significantly. This condition conveys the SME with a BC ratio of 1.44 and an NPV of IDR 309,176,269, indicating that the business is feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
