In an effort to strengthen local economic potential, the Diponegoro University Thematic Community Service Program Team provided material to aquascape MSME actors in Branjang Village, West Ungaran District, Semarang Regency on Saturday, May 17, 2025. This outreach aimed to highlight the importance of business networking between SMEs and village institutions such as BUMDes (Village-Owned Enterprises), the Cooperative Office, and youth organizations.
The material was presented directly to Mas Bagas, a young aquascape SME operator who has developed a business making and selling aquarium decorations within the village. During the session, the KKN Team explained the significant potential that could be achieved if aquascape SMEs were connected to a broader business network.
“I just found out that cooperation with BUMDes or assistance from the Cooperative Office can open up greater market opportunities and even provide access to capital,” said Mas Bagas after the information session.
The aquascape business pursued by Mas Bagas is a form of creative MSME that combines art with the cultivation of ornamental plants and fish. Although it is still on a small scale, this business has great potential as public interest in interior aesthetics and aquarium hobbies increases. However, like most SMEs, it faces numerous challenges. Limited market access, difficulties in business administration, and the lack of formal legality are the main obstacles to the development of this business.
In their presentation, the KKN team emphasized that one of the keys to encouraging MSMEs to move up the ladder is to build business networks. Collaboration with BUMDes, for example, can provide opportunities for product promotion and distribution at the village level. Meanwhile, the Cooperative Office can assist in processing Business Identification Numbers (NIB), providing entrepreneurship training, and applying for access to capital such as People’s Business Credit (KUR).
Equally important, village youth organizations such as Karang Taruna can also play a role in business digitalization—helping with promotion on social media, creating visual content, and introducing aquascape to a wider market.
“This outreach has opened my eyes to the importance of building cooperation. I am now more enthusiastic about developing this business in the future,” said Mas Bagas.
Although there is currently no concrete collaboration between Mas Bagas and village institutions, this outreach is expected to be the first step for MSME actors to realize the importance of cross-sector collaboration.
The KKN team also distributed simple administrative guidelines so that business actors like Mas Bagas can start keeping neat financial records and understand the business legalization process. These guidelines serve as a starting point for establishing a more professional and competitive business.
Efforts to build village economic independence do not only rely on the size of business potential, but also on the extent to which MSME players are connected in a supportive network. Through this socialization, aquascape MSME players began to understand the importance of establishing relationships with BUMDes, the Cooperative Office, and other village elements. In the future, it is hoped that more local business players will be open to collaboration for mutual progress.
This KKN activity received full support from Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M.Hum., as the Head of the Indonesian Literature Program at FIB Undip. He also hopes that this activity will spark many other contributions from students in other Indonesian Literature programs.
Nazifa Qurratu Aini, UNDIP Government Science student