IPB University Lecturers and Students Train KWT Nagrak in Utilizing Nutmeg without Waste into Innovative Products
Lecturers and students of the Department of Biochemistry and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) IPB University who are members of the research center of the Tropical Biopharmaca Study Center, carry out activities of the Lecturer Mengabdi Inovasi (DMI) program. This activity was carried out on 2-3/12 in South Nagrak Village, Nagrak District, Sukabumi Regency.
The chief executive of the activity, Dr Waras Nurcholis, said that the training was attended by 24 participants who were members of the Women Farmers Group (KWT) from ten villages in Nagrak District.
“This nutmeg utilization training aims to increase the knowledge, skills, and income of KWT members through nutmeg processing innovation with the concept of zero waste,” said Dr Waras.
He said the participants were given training on how to process nutmeg into nutmeg oil through a distillation process, process the pulp into food products such as candied paladang, process the remaining water from the distillation process into nutmeg syrup, make tea from the remaining nutmeg skin, and training on making hard candy with essential oil content.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Tropical Biopharmaca Study Center (Trop-BRC), Prof Irmanida Batubara explained that the training was expected to increase the efficiency of raw materials (nutmeg), increase economic coverage, increase the variety of nutmeg-based products and provide additional income for village communities.
Ening Lasminingsih, Secretary of Nagrak Sub-district expressed support for the activities carried out by IPB University.
“We strongly support the activities organized by the team from IPB University. Hopefully, this training will broaden the knowledge of KWT members and can apply the knowledge gained to economic opportunities,” she said.
In addition, the Secretary of South Nagrak Village, Aries Sundara said, “Nutmeg utilization training is needed by the people of South Nagrak Village because this village is one of the nutmeg production centers, so the innovations by the IPB University Team are expected to increase the selling power of nutmeg by our community,” he said.
“The series of activities that began with nutmeg oil distillation training to making hard candy with nutmeg oil content was followed by the participants enthusiastically,” explained Elsa Nopiyanti, a DMI team student. (*/Lp) (IAAS/TNY)
