Institutional development · Public engagement and economic impact · Indonesia
IPB University team trains 40 in Merauke to turn coconut oil into massage oil
IPB University's Patriot Expedition Team ran a two-day session in Urumb Village, South Papua, urging small-business owners to process virgin coconut oil into a higher-value traditional Papuan massage oil.
Why it matters: Small-business owners in Semangga District, Merauke, were encouraged by IPB University's team to sell processed massage oil rather than plain virgin coconut oil.
IPB University said its Patriot Expedition Team (TEP) held sessions on ethnomedicine and local-wisdom business development in Urumb Village, Semangga District, Merauke Regency, South Papua, on 15–16 October.
According to the university, 40 people took part, including owners of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), PKK family welfare cadres and posyandu community health-post cadres.
The first day was a workshop on business ecosystems and social entrepreneurship covering marketing, adding value and developing flagship products from local materials such as coconuts, bananas and fishery products, the university reported.
Team chair Dr M. Iqbal Irfany said Merauke's flagship products should reflect the region's ethnic character, for example by adding red fruit or other local plants to virgin coconut oil.
Editor’s view
Abigail Taylor, Leadership and Governance Editor
The 40 participants in Urumb Village were trained to turn virgin coconut oil into a traditional Papuan massage oil; if they adopt it, they would be selling a processed product the team says carries higher market value.
