Let’s Visit IPB Botani Mart, a Place to Shop Excellent Agricultural Products
Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) opened the Botani Mart, a place to shop agricultural products resulted from innovation of IPB researchers. Botani Mart becomes a storefront for IPB's innovative products that are unique, distinctive and have better value than other products. Chancellor of IPB, Dr. Arif Satria, officially opened the Botani Mart located on Jalan Raya Dramaga, Bogor (24/11). As one of the supporting business units of the Directorate of Business and Commercial Asset Management of IPB, Botani Mart is expected to provide direct benefits to the community.
"IPB Botani Mart must be able to market IPB's unique innovative products. The products offered have better value than other places. For example, jackfruit tree seeds that can bear fruit when the size of the tree is still short and small but the fruit is large and sweet. Thus, Botani Mart of IPB must aim for a good market share so that consumers want to come and buy innovative products from IPB," said the Chancellor.
The Rector emphasized that the location of the Botani Mart must be strategic and the place must be comfortable. "The place must be able to make the customers happy and excited. This is a very unique and contemporary idea and suitable for young consumers. Furthermore, Botani Mart combines natural beauty with millennial creativity plus local culinary tradition that serves special dishes such as mushrooms, vegetables and fish. IPB Botani Mart is also very suitable as a place to spend a holiday with family," he added.
Meanwhile, Vice Rector for Innovation, Business and Entrepreneurship, Prof. Dr. Ir. Erika Budiarti Laconi, MS, said that the innovative products marketed at Botani Mart of IPB have taken quality tests. In the future, Prof. Erika hopes that products that are ready to be launched have already had a certified IPB brand.
"This is the first step to continue to provide and develop excellent products from IPB innovation to be marketed and introduced directly to the community. With this Botani Mart, people can immediately come to buy innovative products from IPB," she said.
Prof. Erika added that there are three concepts that will be worked on as the next year's targets, namely the development of drinking (mineral) water, the development of bakeries, and the development of agrotourism. According to her, IPB must have a mineral water factory, have a tastier and healthier bakery without flour, and have a large agrotourism.
While the Director of Business and Commercial Asset Management of IPB, Dr. Jaenal Abidin in his report explained, in general, the IPB Botani Mart was opened in order to add agriculture-based business units in IPB. This IPB Botani Mart is an integrated mart which covers agrotourism, agriculture, sustainable travel, as well as purchase and sales of fruits, ornamental plants, seeds, fertilizers and vegetables.
"Botani Mart also has a mission to educate visitors about Botanical Knowledge. Here visitors can get to know local flowers and fruits. "Botani Mart of IPB is also supported by all faculties in IPB, so that's why it is called integrated mart, because all the academic communities of IPB are involved," he said.
Chairman of the IPB Board of Trustees (MWA), Prof. Dr. Muhamad Achmad Chozin, deans, heads of departments, directors, heads of bureaus, heads of offices, lecturers of IPB, attended the launching of IPB Botani Mart. (Awl/Zul/ZSP)
