DPMA IPB University Provides Assistance in Utilizing Local Potential in Kayangan District, North Lombok
The Directorate of Agromaritime Community Development (DPMA) of IPB University provided assistance in utilizing local potential in Kayangan District, North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. The assistance carried out was in the form of making tomato sauce, chili sauce, and instant tomato juice drinks.
This assistance presented two resource persons, namely Dr Tjahja Muhandri and Antin Suswantinah, STP, IPB University lecturers from the Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology. This mentoring was carried out for two days, the first day in Kayangan Village, while the second day in Gumantar Village. The mentoring was attended by farmer groups and youth from both villages.
The first day of mentoring contained the provision of material and practical activities regarding the making of tomato sauce and chili sauce. Then the second day of mentoring continued on making tomato juice instant drinks.
Kayangan Village and Gumantar Village have superior commodities, namely chilies and tomatoes. With this assistance, it is hoped that it can provide one way to overcome problems when village farmers experience overproduction or abundant harvests that make tomato prices fall.
The basic material provided from the resource person to the participants for two days is how to preserve the basic ingredients of chilies and tomatoes with pasteurization techniques. Pasteurization is the process of heating food or beverages, such as milk, at a certain temperature for a certain period of time to kill harmful microorganisms without damaging the quality of the product. The main objective is to extend shelf life and keep the product safe from pathogens that can cause disease.
“Village farmers are currently experiencing a bountiful harvest of tomatoes and chili peppers, causing the price of tomatoes to fall. With the assistance that has been carried out, it is hoped that young villagers can make a derivative product from chili or tomato commodities,” said Romi as the head of the farmer group in Gumantar Village. (*/Rz) (IAAS/HLF)
