LocationsNutmegic Ice Cream: A Flavorful Journey of Impact and Empowerment
December 19, 2023
Nutmeg is a spice derived from the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree, which is native to the Banda Islands in Maluku, Indonesia. Nutmeg is one of the top five commodities transported out of the region. The market value of nutmeg is determined by its quality, and as of now, one kilogram of nutmeg seeds is priced between Rp 92.000 to Rp 95.000. This price range reflects the variations in quality, with higher-quality nutmeg fetching a slightly higher price.
Despite its potential, nutmeg produced organic waste, which could hinder the growth of nutmeg trees. Syarif and team saw this opportunity to turn this challenge into a sustainable solution by transforming nutmeg into an innovative ice cream product. “Recognizing the absence of young changemakers in Maluku, particularly in Ambon, focusing on social, health, and environmental issues affecting community empowerment, motivates us. This inspiration drives our commitment to make a positive impact through Nutmegic Ice Cream, an inventive product using local nutmeg turned into ice cream,” said Syarif.
They observed that by creating a market for nutmeg ice cream, they could empower local farmers economically. These farmers, primarily engaged in producing local snacks like candied nutmeg, faced limitations in expanding their reach. Nutmegic Ice Cream became a new avenue for both economic empowerment and waste management.
The Nutmegic team encountered numerous challenges such as to acquire production equipment and suitable packaging. There were moments when the team took a step back. However, supports from nutmeg farmers and communities restored their enthusiasm to keep moving forward.
Before joining the Youth Co:Lab National Bootcamp 2023, Syarif and team joined a sub-national Youth Co:Lab program through an Instagram advertisement from the Department of Youth and Sports in Ambon, Maluku Province. They decided to join the program, Ambon Creativepreneur X Youth Co:Lab, a collaborative program between UNDP Indonesia and Department of Youth and Sports in Ambon. This program was a part of National Strategy on Youth Entrepreneurship initiative with Ministry of National Development Planning. From 21 social businesses competed in Ambon, Nutmegic Ice Cream came out as the winner to represent the province at the Youth Co:Lab National Bootcamp 2023. As a result, the Nutmegic team the top 10 nationally and was invited to Jakarta for Final Pitching and Business Matchmaking to scale up their business.
The Youth Co:Lab program has brought transformative experiences for Syarif and his team. The Youth Co:Lab mentoring sessions provided them with valuable insights on branding, marketing, selling, and gave a challenge to the team to analyze and implement changes in their business approach. The program also provides accessible mentors for nurturing their growth.
Youth Co:Lab is a regional initiative co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation. It focuses on empowering and supporting youth in the Asia-Pacific region to take an active role in addressing social and economic challenges with opportunities to develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills, access resources, and collaborate with partners to create innovative solutions for issues such as unemployment, climate change, and social inequality. For the past 6 years in Indonesia, Youth Co:Lab aims to harness the potential of young people to drive positive change and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This program involves various stakeholders including Innovative Financing Lab UNDP, Citi Foundation and Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Republic of Indonesia. The duration of this year’s Youth Co:Lab is around one and a half months. This year's theme, "inclusive entrepreneurship," is a concept that emphasizes the importance of making entrepreneurship a tool to encompass all layers of society, regardless of age, gender, economic background, or social status.
Looking ahead, the team envisions Nutmegic Ice Cream continuing to make a positive impact on society. Nutmegic Ice Cream has turned over 500 kilograms of nutmeg waste into scrumptious ice cream, making a sweet impact on waste reduction and has provided assistance to around 20 farmers in Ambon. Additionally, their efforts have provided employment opportunities for one young individual and two housewives, as well as encouraging economic empowerment and skills development in the community.
Joining Youth Co:Lab aspired them to introduce new and innovative products to address future challenges. They hope that Youth Co:Lab will persist in creating programs that address the evolving needs and challenges of young entrepreneurs, ensuring a lasting legacy of positive change. The story of Nutmegic Ice Cream is a testament to the transformative power of entrepreneurship and the potential for positive social and environmental impact.