DPMA IPB University Introduces Astra Prosperous Village Featured Products at Astra Festival 2024
The Astra Festival 2024, held from August 31 to September 1, 2024, at the East Parking Lot of Senayan, captured the public’s attention. The event successfully showcased various featured products from the fostered villages under the Astra Prosperous Village program, a collaboration between the Directorate of Agromaritime Community Development (DPMA) at IPB University and PT Astra International Tbk. This initiative aims to enhance the welfare of rural communities through sustainable empowerment programs.
Over the course of two days, the festival offered the public the opportunity to view and purchase high-quality local products produced by fostered villages across Indonesia. These products spanned various categories, including agricultural clusters such as coffee, herbs and spices, snacks, and other derivative products. All products displayed are tangible results of a successful mentorship program focused on developing local potential.
Ahmad Mufid, a representative from DPMA IPB University, expressed his pride in the work of the village communities participating in the festival. “We are very proud of the products produced by the fostered village communities. Through Astra Festival 2024, we want to show the broader public that villages in Indonesia have great potential that can be developed into high-quality featured products capable of competing in larger markets,” he said.
Furthermore, Ahmad Mufid added that this empowerment program not only focuses on improving product quality but also provides education and training to village communities to manage their businesses independently. “This program offers comprehensive assistance, covering aspects from production to marketing. The goal is for village communities to become economically self-sufficient and continue to develop,” he added.
Visitors could learn how the fostered villages successfully boosted their local economies through well-structured and sustainable programs. The event is expected to inspire more stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and the general public, to contribute to village empowerment.
Additionally, Astra Festival 2024 highlighted the strong synergy between academics, the private sector, and the community. This collaboration forms an essential foundation in village development efforts, focusing not only on short-term aid but also on building the capacity and independence of the community. The products generated not only contribute to increased income but also bring significant social impacts, such as enhanced skills, job creation, and strengthened community relationships.
The active participation of DPMA IPB University and PT Astra International Tbk in Astra Festival 2024 serves as a testament to their ongoing commitment to supporting sustainable rural economic development. It is hoped that this festival will inspire more parties to support the development of village potential in Indonesia, thereby fostering widespread prosperity across the nation. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
