IPB University’s Dospulkam Program is a Solutive Innovation to Prevent Child Malnutrition in Purwakarta Regency

A team of IPB University lecturers conducted a monitor and evaluation (monev) of the Dosen Pulang Kampung (Dospulkam) program themed “Prevention of Child Malnutrition through Collective Action to Improve the Quality of Food Choices”. This program runs in Cisarua Village, Tegalwaru District, Purwakarta Regency.

The monev process was attended by the Cisarua Village Health Cadre, the Nurani Dunia Foundation, and the Dospulkam program reviewer, Dr Agus Oman Sudrajat. The program, initiated by Dr Nuraini W Prasodjo, focuses on community empowerment through innovations in goat milk processing into healthy ice cream, and banana flour making.

In addition, training on food safety and branding of healthy snacks was provided to educate residents to produce healthy food and snacks themselves. 

“Through this training, we hope to raise awareness as well as the ability of residents to take collective action, both at the household and community levels, while providing quality food alternatives for children,” explained Dr Nuraini Prasodjo.

Through a local potential-based approach, she said that this program presents a practical and innovative solution in preventing malnutrition in children. Goat milk was chosen due to its high nutritional content and availability in the Purwakarta area.

Dr Nuraini reported that the results of the M&E showed that the program had run according to plan and received a positive response from the community. The intensive training provided to health cadres not only improved their skills in food processing, but also encouraged enthusiasm to apply the knowledge in the community.

Dr Agus Oman, as the program reviewer, assessed that the innovation developed through the Dospulkam program can be a model for community empowerment in other areas. 

“The utilization of local resources such as goat milk has a wide impact, both in terms of health and the economy of the community. We hope this program can be expanded to other local food processing, such as moringa processing,” he explained.

Through this success, it is hoped that the Dospulkam program can continue to optimize the potential of local foods, such as sweet potatoes, cassava, and vegetables, in an effort to improve the quality of community food choices.

The Dosen Pulang Kampung program is an initiative that aims to empower communities through expertise and innovation applied by academics in their home areas. With the support of various parties, this program is expected to have a sustainable positive impact. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)