Community Economic Empowerment through Macaranga-Based Pharmaceutical Development: A Participatory Case Study in Biatan Hilir

Abstract

This study aims to address the gap between Indonesia's biodiversity, particularly the genus Macaranga, as a source of biopharmaceuticals, and its underutilized contribution to the local economy. Its research is a qualitative, descriptive-analytical study that uses policy analysis and comparative trade analysis. The research focuses on evaluating the opportunities and challenges of international trade in Macaranga-based biopharmaceutical products by reviewing national policy documents and relevant bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. The results indicate that Macaranga has high biopharmaceutical potential, especially for antioxidant and anticancer properties. However, the community-level supply chain (Biatan Hilir Village) still faces significant challenges, including unstructured harvesting. Therefore, an integrated supply chain model based on Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) and an export product scheme in the form of standardized dry extracts is proposed as initial steps. Further discussion highlights that efforts to penetrate the international market require regulatory cooperation with four key partner countries to reduce non-tariff barriers, facilitate recognition of certification, and strengthen Indonesia's bargaining position. Its research is academically significant because it contributes to the literature on bioeconomy development, offers practical strategic recommendations for designing sustainable and equitable supply chains, and opens up opportunities for communal business models that can serve as prototypes.