The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at Universitas Indonesia carried out a community service activity in Banyubiru Village, Pandeglang, Banten. The program, titled \u201cDevelopment of Gnetum Makara Center as a Melinjo Processing Hub,\u201d was held on Saturday, October 30, and was led by Dr. Retno Lestari, M.Sc. The activity was supported by funding from the Directorate of Community Engagement and Empowerment of Universitas Indonesia (DPPM UI), in collaboration with the Pandu Cendekia Foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The activity focused on introducing the concept of ecotourism through the production of food made from melinjo, a local specialty of Banyubiru Village known as emping (melinjo chips). In addition to this concept, the team also provided the community with new ideas on proper and attractive product packaging methods to increase the market value of Banyubiru Village\u2019s signature emping melinjo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Banyubiru Village was chosen as the location for the ecotourism concept of melinjo-based products because it has great potential as a melinjo-producing area. In addition, the traditional methods still used in making emping add a distinctive quality to the taste and aesthetics of the emping produced<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"Most of the people in Banyubiru Village are already skilled and experienced in processing melinjo. The traditional production methods still used can become a unique attraction for tourists,\" said Dr. Retno to the FMIPA UI Public Relations team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nevertheless, according to Dr. Retno, to optimize product marketing, a branding strategy is needed \u2014 specifically through packaging designs that are more representative of the ecotourism concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe concept of ecotourism aims to allow visitors not only to travel but also to directly experience the traditional process of making emping melinjo,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHopefully, this activity can educate the community on effective promotion methods so that Banyubiru\u2019s signature emping products can become more widely known,\u201d added Dr. Retno.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHopefully, this activity can educate the community on effective promotion methods so that Banyubiru\u2019s signature emping products can become more widely known,\u201d added Dr. Retno.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After participating in the emping processing activity, the event continued with a presentation by the team on product packaging methods. On this occasion, the team also handed over and applied the packaging labels that had been prepared in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to packaging issues, the emping artisans also admitted facing difficulties in marketing their products. The Head of Banyubiru Village, Madani, stated that this was due to the limited availability of raw materials, which are seasonal. As a result, it affects the pricing of the processed products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight now, the price of melinjo happens to be quite high in the market, so naturally the price of emping also increases. Sometimes, when it's melinjo season and there's a lot in the market, the price of emping might be low. So our main problem is really about marketing, and even some of the emping artisans are often deceived by middlemen,\u201d said Madani.<\/p>\n\n\n\n