Two IPB University Lecturers Assist Payakumbuh MSMEs to Learn Packaging Label Techniques
IPB University’s Innovation Service Lecturer Team, Prof Nugara and Dr Dwi Yuni provide assistance to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Payakumbuh City, West Sumatra.
One of them is by teaching packaging labelling techniques according to the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM). The IPB University lecturer team also trained MSME players in the preparation of product nutritional value information without the need to test it in the laboratory.
“Packaging labelling must follow BPOM regulations and must include product nutritional value information. For this reason, we trained the participants to practice making nutritional value information according to BPOM guidelines, without the need to test their products in a laboratory which is generally expensive and not in all cities available test laboratory facilities,” explained Dr Dwi Yuni.
In addition, the team of IPB University lecturers also helped provide a solution for preserving rendang rice. So far, the product has a short shelf life, only around 3-5 days.
“Rendang rice or bareh randang in Minang language spoils very quickly. Within 2 days, the colour has turned brown. By the 7th day, it has grown a lot of mould. So practically only up to 3 days, generally bareh randang can be consumed with excellent quality,” said Prof Nugraha.
Prof Nugraha explained that the colour change to dark/brown occurs due to enzymatic and nonenzymatic browning reactions. With a high water activity (Aw) character, the product is relatively wet.
“For this reason, bareh randang is very quickly damaged and a solution is urgently needed. We need to conduct a small research to provide a solution for bareh randang. It is not enough to just use food additives (BTP), but modifications are needed to improve the production process,” he said.
The two IPB University lecturers also went directly to the production location of MSMEs to be able to provide input according to the real conditions of business actors.
During the Lecturer Mengabdi Innovation programme, the business owners get a valuable opportunity to consult. Starting from improving processing techniques, packaging techniques to how to use the right BTP for preserving their products so that the shelf life is long.
“It is hoped that this effort can increase the selling value and expand the market for typical Payakumbuh City products,” said Prof Nugroho.
Secretary of the Cooperative and MSME Office of Payakumbuh City, Tegrasia Nita, expressed her appreciation and support for the Innovation Service Lecturer programme. According to him, the material presented by IPB University lecturers this year is very important and needed for MSME players.
“We hope that the IPB University lecturer team can routinely provide guidance to MSMEs so that all typical Payakumbuh souvenir products can improve quality and last longer so that their marketing distribution is wider,” she said.
“This is new knowledge that is very useful for us MSMEs and can be applied immediately. We hope that this technical guidance from the IPB University lecturer team can be routinely organised in Payakumbuh City,” said one of the MSME participants. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
