Thanks to IPB University’s Dospulkam Program, This Banana Chip Seller Has Now Moved Up a Class

Lismawati, a micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) banana chip entrepreneur from Banjarsari, Ciamis, has long dreamed of having products with attractive labels and packaging. That dream began to come true after she participated in a training program on branding, labeling, and packaging organized by the IPB University Returning Faculty Members (Dospulkam) team.  

For more than two years, Mrs Ani, as she is affectionately known, produced banana chips in her home kitchen. She sold her chips to local shops in the village in plastic bags without labels or branding. The price was cheap, and the profit was slim, but she continued to maintain her business to help her family’s economy.

“I’ve always wanted to have my own brand, but I didn’t know how,” she said softly when interviewed during a capacity building in marketing training at the Banjarsari District Hall some time ago.

The training was provided by the Dospulkam team consisting of Dr Yusalina (chair), Prof Dwi Rachmina, Dr Netti Tinaprilla, Eva Yolinda Aviny, SP, MM, and Tursina Andita Putri, SE, MSi. The lecturers presented material on branding MSME products, creating labels according to PIRT standards, and techniques for attractive and hygienic product packaging.

“Local food SMEs have great potential if managed with good branding. We want to help them move up a class through practical training like this,” said Eva Yolinda Aviny, SP, MM, a member of the team.

During the product label design practice, Lismawati’s face lit up with joy. With the help of student assistants, she successfully wrote the brand name for her banana chips: “Kripisani-Keripik Pisang Ani.” The simple label design in bright yellow with a banana image made her feel proud.

“I’m so happy that my chips finally have their own name. I can’t wait to print the labels and stick them on the plastic packaging,” she said with a wide smile.

“We really appreciate the initiative taken by IPB lecturers. With packaging that has now been ‘upgraded’, I am optimistic that the selling value of residents’ products will increase. This is expected to be a concrete step to boost the economy in Banjarsari District,” said Reva, Chair of the Banjarsari District Economic Section.

Not only Lisnawati, but 25 other local food SMEs in Banjarsari Subdistrict also participated in this training. From rengginang, cassava opak, to gadung chips. After the training, the participants gave positive feedback.

“Now I feel confident when offering my products to resellers. The new packaging makes my products competitive when placed alongside those of large manufacturers on store shelves,” she said.

For Mrs Ani, this training is not just about learning label design, but the beginning of her big dream to make “Kripisani” widely recognized and increase her family’s income. (*/Rz) (IAAS/Ard)