PENDAMPINGAN PENGOLAHAN AIR LAUT BERBASIS KEARIFAN LOKAL MENJADI GARAM, DIPROSES SECARA TRADISIONAL DI KELURAHAN ABEPANTAI PROVINSI PAPUA

Abstrak: Indonesia sebagai negara kepulauan memiliki kekayaan sumber daya alam yang melimpah, termasuk potensi air laut sebagai bahan baku pembuatan garam. Di berbagai wilayah pesisir, pemanfaatan air laut belum optimal akibat keterbatasan teknologi, rendahnya keterampilan masyarakat, serta pencemaran lingkungan yang menghambat proses produksi garam secara tradisional. Padahal, pengolahan garam berbasis kearifan lokal memiliki nilai penting dalam pelestarian budaya, penguatan ekonomi lokal, dan pengelolaan sumber daya alam secara berkelanjutan.Kegiatan pengabdian ini bertujuan mendampingi masyarakat Kelurahan Abepantai dalam mengolah air laut menjadi garam berbasis kearifan lokal secara tradisional. Masalah utama yang dihadapi adalah pencemaran air laut akibat sampah rumah tangga yang mengganggu pemanfaatan air laut sebagai sumber garam. Kegiatan dilakukan dalam bentuk penyuluhan, demonstrasi langsung, dan praktik mandiri yang melibatkan 40 peserta masyarakat lokal. Evaluasi dilakukan melalui observasi, wawancara, dan diskusi kelompok.Hasil pengabdian menunjukkan peningkatan keterampilan teknis (hardskill) masyarakat sebesar 75% dalam proses produksi garam, serta peningkatan kesadaran lingkungan (softskill) sebesar 65%. Selain itu, pengolahan garam juga membuka peluang ekonomi baru bagi masyarakat, dengan potensi nilai tambah hingga 50% dari hasil produksi lokal. Kegiatan ini memperkuat pelestarian budaya, pengelolaan sumber daya alam berkelanjutan, dan pemberdayaan ekonomi masyarakat pesisir secara nyata dan terukur.Abstract: As an archipelagic country, Indonesia possesses abundant natural resources, including the potential of seawater as a raw material for salt production. In various coastal regions, the utilization of seawater remains suboptimal due to technological limitations, low levels of community skills, and environmental pollution, which hinders traditional salt production processes. In fact, salt processing based on local wisdom holds significant value in preserving cultural heritage, strengthening the local economy, and promoting sustainable natural resource management. This community service activity aimed to assist residents of Abepantai Subdistrict in processing seawater into salt through traditional methods rooted in local wisdom. The primary challenge faced was seawater pollution caused by household waste, which disrupts the use of seawater as a salt source. The activities were conducted through public outreach, live demonstrations, and hands-on practice involving 40 local community participants. Evaluation methods included observation, interviews, and group discussions. The results of the program indicated a 75% increase in the community's technical skills (hardskills) in salt production processes and a 65% improvement in environmental awareness (softskills). Furthermore, salt processing has opened new economic opportunities for the community, with a potential added value of up to 50% from locally produced salt. This initiative has contributed to the preservation of cultural heritage, sustainable natural resource management, and tangible, measurable empowerment of coastal community economies.