Graecia Lugito
This Community Service Program aims to empower local potential through the use of Tongka Langit bananas, one of the local commodities with high nutritional value but which is underutilized. In the first year (2023), this activity focuses on providing information on cultivation techniques, post-harvest management and distribution mapping to encourage the use of bananas as an effort to improve the nutritional status of the community and support food security. Collaboration with Pattimura University, Maluku Parakletos Foundation, and UKM/UMKM partners succeeded in building the Tongka Langit Production Unit and a local economic ecosystem. In the second year (2024), this program is directed at developing technology for preserving, packaging, branding and marketing products to ensure the sustainability of the creative and entrepreneurial economy in the region. Involving interdisciplinary teams from Chemical Engineering, Food Engineering, Microbiology, Fine Arts, and Business, this program is able to produce value-added products that meet national food standards. This program is expected to be able to move the wheels of the economy in Nusalaut, Ambon and Seram Island.
Conducting a Market Study for Tongka Langit banana derivative products
1. Empowerment of Local Farmers - through training in cultivation techniques, post-harvest management, and the introduction of derivative products, farmers and PKK women from Titawai Country (Nusalaut Island), Passo and Rutong (Ambon Island), and Nua Nea (Seram Island) are starting to have awareness to plant Tongka Langit bananas. 2. Development of the Creative Economy and Entrepreneurship - Through collaboration with Unpatti which will become a training hub for creative entrepreneurs, tongka Langit banana derivative products can be developed more widely. 3. Diversification of Food Products - Tongka Langit bananas contain carbohydrates, vitamins and antioxidants. Tongka Langit banana fiber bread and other processed Banana Tongka Langit food products provide nutritious food options that can increase food security in the Maluku region.