Batang, August 21, 2026 – After receiving training on postharvest handling, processing technology, and cocoa product development, participants of the Sustainable Cocoa Capacity and Human Resources Development Training continued the program by visiting the UGM Cocoa Teaching and Learning Industry (CTLI) in Batang, Central Java, on Friday (August 21).
The visit provided participants with an opportunity to see firsthand how the knowledge gained during the training is applied in a cocoa processing environment. Participants were also introduced to the facilities and processing activities that form part of Universitas Gadjah Mada’s cocoa downstreaming ecosystem.
UGM CTLI is a teaching industry facility developed to support the implementation of the university’s Three Pillars of Higher Education (Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi), particularly through education, research, product development, training, and downstreaming activities. The facility also supports cocoa product development and the processing of raw materials into various processed products.
Observing Cocoa Processing Firsthand
During the visit, participants had the opportunity to become more familiar with the cocoa processing facilities available at CTLI. Previously, CTLI facilities have also been used for various cocoa learning activities, including introducing processing stages from cocoa beans into products such as cocoa powder and chocolate bars.
Visiting a processing facility provided a different experience from classroom-based learning. Participants were able to observe how cocoa processing stages take place in an industrial environment while gaining a better understanding of the relationship between raw material quality, machinery, process control, and final product quality.
This is particularly important because cocoa processing requires control at various stages. UGM research at CTLI, for example, has shown that roasting is one of the important stages affecting the final quality of cocoa products. At CTLI, roasting process data have also been utilized to support data-driven process optimization.
Connecting Training Materials with Industrial Applications
The CTLI visit was an important part of the training series because it enabled participants to connect the materials they had studied with their practical application in a processing facility.
While previous sessions focused on the principles of postharvest handling, processing, formulation, and product development, the visit provided participants with a broader understanding of how these stages are integrated into a more comprehensive processing system.
This experience is expected to help participants understand that improving cocoa product quality is not determined by a single stage, but rather by a series of interconnected processes, beginning with raw material quality and continuing through processing and packaging.
Understanding Cocoa Downstreaming
The visit also provided participants with an understanding of the importance of downstreaming in increasing the value of cocoa commodities. UGM has developed CTLI as part of its efforts to encourage cocoa value addition within Indonesia while connecting academic activities with industrial needs.
Through its teaching industry concept, CTLI serves not only as a production facility but also as a space for learning and development. The facility can be utilized for research, pilot production, product testing, training, and joint business development with partners.
For training participants, this understanding provided a broader perspective that cocoa development does not end with the production of cocoa beans. Processing cocoa into intermediate and final products creates opportunities for greater value addition while expanding the potential for business development.
Gaining Learning Experience in an Industrial Environment
The field visit also provided participants with direct learning experience. Participants were able to observe processing facilities, understand the process flow, and see how technology is utilized to support cocoa processing activities.
Experiences such as this complement the theoretical and practical learning conducted during the training. Participants not only gained knowledge of how a process should be carried out, but also obtained a clearer picture of its application within a teaching industry environment.
The visit to CTLI is therefore expected to strengthen participants’ understanding of the importance of process efficiency, quality consistency, technology utilization, and product development in building a competitive cocoa industry.
Opening New Perspectives for Cocoa Development
The CTLI visit served as a learning experience that brought together knowledge, practical skills, and technology applications. Participants had the opportunity to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the journey of cocoa from raw material to value-added products.
Through this activity, participants are expected to bring home knowledge and experience that can be applied according to their respective fields and working environments. Beyond strengthening technical skills, the CTLI experience is also expected to encourage participants to explore opportunities for product development, quality improvement, and broader cocoa downstreaming.
The visit also reinforced the objectives of the Sustainable Cocoa Capacity and Human Resources Development Training in developing human resources who not only understand processing technologies but are also capable of recognizing opportunities for cocoa development from the perspectives of quality, innovation, value addition, and sustainability.
