IPB University Establishes SOF Innovation Commercialization Cooperation with BUMDes Panca Bhakti

IPB University through the Institution for Science and Technology Park (LKST) established collaboration with the Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) Panca Bhakti for the commercialization of Special Organic Fertilizer (SOF) Innovation Made from Empty Palm Oil Cans. The commercialization of the innovation has been outlined in the License Cooperation Agreement (PKS) signed by the Head of LKST IPB University, Prof Dr Erika B Laconi and the Industrial Partner, namely the Manager of BUMDes Panca Bhakti, Rendik Tadarus, on 5/5 in the LKST Conference Room, Taman Kencana, Bogor.

LKST IPB University carries out the mandate and main tasks and functions to downstream and commercialize IPB University Innovations to partners and stakeholders. This activity delivers SOF innovation by Ir Fahrizal Hazra, M.Sc, Dr Deden Saprudin and Dr Soni Trison to partners who can become a mutually beneficial collaboration. 

In her remarks, Prof Dr Erika B Laconi said that the signing of the SOF innovation license agreement (SPK) was the first step and a tangible manifestation that the innovation developed through the Matching Fund Program in 2022 could be further commercialized. 

"Hopefully this can continue to be produced. The follow-up of programs such as the Kedaireka Matching Fund is what all universities including IPB University are waiting for," she said. She hopes that the business at BUMDes Panca Bhakti will grow so that it can move the village. "We at LKST will continue to bridge other innovations so that they can reach the community," she said.

As the Inventor of SOF Products, Ir Fahrizal Hazra M.Sc said that the results of the Matching Fund Program (Kedaireka) were implemented on various crops (especially potatoes) and the results could double the usual harvest. This innovation was also looked at by Korea.  He hopes that international cooperation can be established. 

"We have tried research with various variations and the results are extraordinary. We utilize the waste around Mekarjaya. Hopefully in the future BUMDes Panca Bhakti can produce products that are desirable and beneficial to the community," he said. 

BUMDes Panca Bhakti Manager, Rendik Tadarus expressed his gratitude to IPB University for providing training from hard skills, soft skills, to business. "Currently BUMDes Panca Bhakti already has five employees and has contracted with Robento Kopi as an organic coffee producer to be marketed in Europe," he said.

In Cigudeg, he continued, there are many coffee fields that will be rejuvenated this year and will use SOF as fertilizer. "We have contracted 2 tons of SOF for each fertilization. Three times a year, it is expected that one year later it will be one hundred percent organic," he said. (IAAS/MKY)