The Role of Pesantrenpreneurs in Economic Development
By Dr. Abdul Wadud Nafis, Lc., MEI
Abstract
Pesantren (Islamic boarding schools) are not only centers for Islamic education but also hold significant potential as agents of economic empowerment for the Muslim community. The concept of “pesantrenpreneur”—an integration of pesantren with an entrepreneurial spirit—emerges as a strategic approach to developing a people-based economy rooted in Islamic values. This article aims to analyze the role of pesantrenpreneurs in economic development, particularly in empowering MSMEs, creating employment opportunities, and strengthening the local Sharia-based economy. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and literature study, this article demonstrates that pesantrenpreneurs can serve as catalysts for sustainable socio-economic transformation.
Keywords: pesantrenpreneur, Islamic economics, community empowerment, entrepreneurship, economic development
1. Introduction
Pesantren institutions have long been pillars of Islamic education and centers of moral guidance within Indonesian society. In response to evolving societal needs, pesantren are increasingly expected to adapt to socio-economic challenges. One emerging approach is the concept of pesantrenpreneur: the integration of traditional pesantren functions with a modern entrepreneurial spirit grounded in Islamic values (Syarif, 2019).
Pesantrenpreneurship is not only an economic innovation but also a spiritually grounded empowerment model that addresses structural poverty, unemployment, and the limited access to economic resources among marginalized groups.
2. The Concept and Characteristics of Pesantrenpreneurs
Pesantrenpreneurship is a new paradigm in the pesantren world that combines Islamic spirituality with entrepreneurial skills (Zarkasyi, 2020). This model aims to produce students (santri) who are knowledgeable in religious matters and also possess business and managerial skills.
Key Characteristics:
2.1. Based on Tawheed and Islamic Ethics: All business activities are governed by Sharia principles such as trustworthiness, honesty, and hard work.
2.2. Community-Oriented: Enterprises aim not only for profit but also for the benefit of the wider ummah.
2.3. Self-Reliance and Innovation: Encourages creative and resilient economic management.
2.4. Collective Management: Enterprises are based on cooperatives, productive waqf, and Islamic microfinance (BMT).
3. The Strategic Role of Pesantrenpreneurs in Economic Development
3.1 Empowering the Muslim Economy
Pesantrenpreneurs strengthen local MSMEs by leveraging the potential of students and surrounding communities. Agricultural products, livestock, handicrafts, and halal industries become the core sectors driven by pesantren.
3.2 Job Creation
Through their business units, pesantren can absorb graduates and local youth who are excluded from the formal labor market. Vocational training organized by pesantren serves as a platform for human resource development.
3.3 Strengthening the Sharia Economy
Sharia-based microfinance institutions such as BMTs, Sharia cooperatives, and productive waqf managed by pesantren provide fair and Sharia-compliant financial solutions, offering alternatives to interest-based systems.
3.4 Revitalizing Local and Village Economies
Utilizing local resources such as waqf land and alumni networks, pesantren significantly contribute to village economic development through partnerships with Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), farmer groups, and local communities.
4. Challenges and Strategies for Strengthening Pesantrenpreneurship
4.1 Challenges:
4.1.1 Limited Managerial Human Resources: Most pesantren lack professional staff for business management.
4.1.2 Limited Access to Capital and Technology: The lack of capital and digitalization access hampers business scalability.
4.1.3 Insufficient Policy Support: Government policies are not yet fully focused on systematically supporting pesantren economics.
4.2 Strengthening Strategies:
4.2.1 Business Incubation for Students and Alumni: Involves universities in entrepreneurship training.
4.2.2 Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships: Involves the private sector, government, and philanthropic institutions in pesantren business development.
4.2.3 Digitalization and Product Branding: Enhances marketing systems through social media and e-commerce platforms.
5. Successful Case Studies
5.1 Pondok Pesantren Sidogiri (Pasuruan) is known for its cooperative and BMT, managing billions of rupiah in assets and serving thousands of members.
5.2 Pesantren Al-Ittifaq (Ciwidey, Bandung) operates student-led horticultural farming and a national supermarket distribution network.
5.3 Pesantren Sunan Drajat (Lamongan) has successfully built an integrated economic area, including a gas station, schools, and a bread factory.
These case studies prove that the pesantrenpreneur model is not merely conceptual—it is already being effectively implemented.
6. Conclusion
Pesantrenpreneurship is an innovative model that addresses the spiritual and economic needs of the Muslim community. Pesantren that manage businesses using a Sharia-based approach have proven capable of enhancing economic independence, strengthening local economies, and alleviating poverty. Cross-sector collaboration, technological innovation, and human resource capacity building are essential to expanding the future impact of pesantrenpreneurship. The pesantren of the future will be a spiritual, intellectual, and economic hub for the ummah.
References
Affandi, A., & Rachmawati, E. (2021). Islamic Economics and Community Empowerment. Jakarta: Kencana.
Azis, A. (2018). “Pesantren and the People’s Economy: A Study of Pesantren Economic Enterprises in Central Java.” Journal of Islamic Economics, 10(2), 135–148.
Burhanuddin, J. (2020). Revitalizing Pesantren in National Economic Development. Yogyakarta: LKiS.
Syarif, H. (2019). “Transforming Pesantren into Pesantrenpreneurs: A Socio-Economic Review.” Journal of Islamic Business and Economics, 5(1), 22–35.
Zarkasyi, A. (2020). Student Entrepreneurship: The Concept and Practice of Pesantrenpreneurship. Malang: UIN Press.
Raharjo, A. (2022). “Digitalizing Pesantren Enterprises in the Face of the 4.0 Economic Era.” Journal of Sharia Management, 6(1), 80–95.
