Indonesia is a country rich in biodiversity that in each region of Indonesia has a lot of natural wealth in the form of medicinal plants that have many benefits. However, with the large number identified as medicinal plants, only 283 species are officially registered with BPOM that can be used as medicine and have been used by the public (Gadjah Mada University, 2019, #). But Indonesia has not been optimal in maximizing its natural wealth, especially in maximizing the potential of medicinal plants to be used as herbal products that can be used by local Indonesian and international communities to improve the branding of the quality of Indonesian herbal products and increase local potential as a strategy to improve the economy of the country. Indonesia’s potential through the herbal plants has not been fully maximized and herbal product innovations are still being neglected. Especially in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for traditional medicines is always increasing, both national and international demand as selected alternative herbal medicines. Based on data from the Indonesian Central Statistics Agency, it shows that export activities of medicinal plants from Indonesia to main destination countries continue to increase even in the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the number of medicinal plant exports from Indonesia to partner destination countries in 2020 was 618,450.6 US$ compared to the previous year. in 2019 only 592,487.6US$ (Central Bureau of Statistics, 2021, #).
One of the areas in Indonesia that produce a lot of herbal products is Yogyakarta, Kulon Progo Regency which consists of various sub-districts that produce herbal products including the districts of Galur, Girimulyo, Kalibawang, Kokap, Lendah, Nanggulan, Panjatan, Pengasih, Samigaluh, Sentolo, Temon, Wates, where the workers who manufacture herbal products are dominated by women (Kulon Progo Department of Trade and Industry, nd, #). The Kulon Progo area is found to have a lot of potential in producing herbal plants found in the Menoreh Mountains, Kulon Progo, Indonesia. However, in producing this herbal product, there are still many obstacles, one of which is that there are other factors including the low ability in managing herbal plants. Based on data from the Directorate of Supervision of Traditional Medicines and Health Supplements in Indonesia in 2020, it is explained that traditional medicine businesses in Indonesia still have low awareness of complying with applicable regulations, which are regulations regarding the understanding of regulations and drug supervision that apply in the traditional medicine sector. which is due to the low level of education of MSME actors. Therefore, it is necessary to first empower MSME actors to maximize Indonesian herbal production, due to the lack of involvement from various actors in managing herbal plants, this will hamper the production process of Indonesian herbal products. And it is necessary to involve various actors to maximize the production of Indonesian herbal products, starting from academics or researchers, business actors, and the government. This is because Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are one of the keys of the Indonesian economy, and as many as 64 million MSMEs in Indonesia, up to 60 percent are the largest contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Indonesian MSME actors producing Indonesian herbal products in the Kulon Progo area are dominated by women farmer groups which shows that women’s empowerment is important. Women Farmers Groups (KWT) located in Kulon Progo district are dominated by housewives but lack of empowerment, raw materials for making herbal products, and lack of promotional strategies.
Reporting from the Journal of “Humans and the Environment” Universitas Gadjah Mada, there are 29 medicinal plants found in the Menoreh mountains which are still widely unknown to the public, where these medicinal plants have various properties to treat various diseases such as cough medicine, stomach medicine. , high blood pressure medication, stamina enhancer, asthma medication, gout, hepatitis, flu, tonsils, kidney, and others (Wati Hadi et al., 2016, #). The potential of natural wealth owned by the Menoreh mountains, it is very unfortunate if this potential is not maximized to produce herbal products that can overcome various diseases which can contribute to making Indonesia a country that has high innovation and makes rich biodiversity. become a national identity through branding of herbal products that are produced.
Medicinal plants in the Menoreh Mountains area, Kulon Progo which are owned by Indonesia are very important. Which has been explained previously that 29 new species of medicinal plants have been found in the area, but due to the lack of facilities, raw materials, assistance, and promotion. This causes the new medicinal plant species to be neglected. Therefore, the Indonesian Traditional Herbs Community by involving the Kulon Progo Women’s Farmer’s Group can be an option to maximize Indonesian medicinal plants into new Indonesian herbal products that will be produced in the future through the designs that have been described. Which by maximizing the discovery of new species of medicinal plants in the Menoreh Mountains area can be a strategy to realize the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda (SDGs) 2030-2045, especially in the 5th and 8th goals. Which aims to achieve gender equality, empowering women and girls by involving the Kulon Progo Women Farmers Group (KWT) through the empowerment of the Kulon Progo Women Farmers Group. And at point 8 to achieve sustainable economic growth, full employment, and decent work for all.
