DPPM Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Funds PKM in the Selayar Islands, UMI Team Introduces Banana Heart Floss Innovation Based on Appropriate Technology
Selayar Islands – Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) through Community Service (PKM) activities funded by the DPPM Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in 2026 is implementing a program entitled "Local Food Innovation in the Selayar Islands Through Training on Making Banana Heart Floss as a Community Empowerment Effort." This activity is an effort to encourage the use of local food while increasing the skills and economic potential of the community.
The activity was chaired by Prof. Dr. Ramlawati, SE., MM, with members Prof. Dr. Aryati Arfah, SE., M.Si and Dr. Nurfardiansyah Burhanuddin, SKM., M.Kes, and involving students Nur Fatimah Syarifuddin B. and Nurul Aulia. The implementing team is a collaboration of lecturers from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) and the Faculty of Public Health (FKM) UMI, which combines aspects of economic empowerment and health education in the development of local food.
The partner in this activity is the Teratai Women's Farming Group (KWT), which has 20 members. Before entering the practical session, participants were given education about the benefits and potential of banana blossoms as a food ingredient. The team also conducted a pre-test to determine the partner's initial level of knowledge so that the increase in understanding after the activity could be measured more objectively.
After the educational session, participants took part in training on making banana blossom floss directly. Partners were introduced to the stages of processing banana blossoms until they become shredded products that have taste and added value. Training is carried out in a participatory manner so that participants not only gain knowledge, but also have practical experience that can be applied independently.
After the educational session, participants took part in training on making banana blossom floss directly. Partners were introduced to the stages of processing banana blossoms until they become shredded products that have taste and added value. Training is carried out in a participatory manner so that participants not only gain knowledge, but also have practical experience that can be applied independently.
One of the innovations introduced in this activity is a spinner machine as an appropriate technology. This machine is used to help remove oil from the shredded meat after the frying process so that the product becomes drier and less oily. It is hoped that the use of this technology can help improve product quality while making the production process more effective and efficient.
Through this activity, the UMI PKM team encourages KWT Teratai members to see banana blossoms as a local food source that can be developed into economically valuable products. It is hoped that the skills acquired will not stop at training activities, but can be developed into productive business opportunities that support increasing community economic independence.
The implementing team would like to express its thanks to the DPPM of the Ministry of Education and Technology for the 2026 PKM funding support and to the LPKM of the Indonesian Muslim University for the support and facilitation provided, so that activities can be carried out well. It is hoped that this collaboration between universities and the community will continue to develop in presenting innovations that are able to optimize local food potential and provide real benefits for the people of the Selayar Islands.
Through this activity, the UMI PKM team encourages KWT Teratai members to see banana blossoms as a local food source that can be developed into economically valuable products. It is hoped that the skills acquired will not stop at training activities, but can be developed into productive business opportunities that support increasing community economic independence.
The implementing team would like to express its thanks to the DPPM of the Ministry of Education and Technology for the 2026 PKM funding support and to the LPKM of the Indonesian Muslim University for the support and facilitation provided, so that activities can be carried out well. It is hoped that this collaboration between universities and the community will continue to develop in presenting innovations that are able to optimize local food potential and provide real benefits for the people of the Selayar Islands.
