Dosen Pulang Kampung Becomes an Opportunity for IPB University Lecturers to Share Knowledge on Processing Marine Fishery By-products
Lecturers from IPB University’s Department of Marine Science and Technology (ITK), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FPIK), conducted a community service activity through the Dosen Pulang Kampung (Dospulkam) program in Labuhan Deli Village, Medan City, North Sumatra.
The program, titled “Introduction to Diversification and Downstreaming of Marine Fishery By-products,” aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of the community in processing marine fishery by-products into economically valuable products.
Dospulkam is one of the forms of community service provided by IPB University lecturers in locations that hold historical or sociological significance for them. This program is designed to present innovations from the lecturers’ scientific and technological research, ready to be implemented in the community.
During this activity, IPB University lecturers provided training to the community on how to process marine fishery by-products, such as fish bones and shrimp shells, into high-value products. Some examples include fish sauce, chitosan, and collagen.
“Labuhan Deli has significant marine fishery potential. However, many by-products are not being utilized effectively because the community is not yet aware of how to process and market them,” said Dr Meutia Samira Ismet, the leader of the Dospulkam IPB University team.
Through this program, Dr Meutia expressed the hope that the lecturers could assist the Labuhan Deli community in improving their income and welfare. From her observations, the community’s enthusiasm for the program was very high. In fact, the community hopes that the program will continue in the future.
“We are very excited about this program. Hopefully, it will become a sustainable initiative and serve as a platform for us to develop the marine fishery potential in Labuhan Deli,” said Dani Amrizal, Chief of Peace and Order, representing the Village Chief of Labuhan Deli.
Dr Meutia emphasized that achieving these goals requires collaboration among various relevant parties to ensure the program’s success. Thus, this program can serve as a model for other regions in Indonesia to increase the added value of marine fishery products.
“This activity is expected to make a tangible contribution, helping the community to improve their welfare and encouraging local economic growth,” she concluded.
The activity was attended by 40 participants, consisting of fishermen and members of the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK). Also present were representatives from the Medan City Government, the Indonesian Indigenous Entrepreneurs Association (HIPPI) of North Sumatra, and the Green Indonesia Club. (*/Rz) (IAAS/RUM)
