FF UNAIR provides education and training on patchouli essential oil processing for farmer groups in Siki Village, Dongko District, Trenggalek Regency. This activity was part of a community service program titled “Empowerment of Farmer Groups in Siki Village Through Innovation of Aromatherapy Products Based on Patchouli Essential Oil,” held on August 21-22, 2026, funded by the Directorate of Community Service and Research (DPPM) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology through the Community Empowerment scheme 2026.
The Chair of the UNAIR Community Service Team, Dr. apt. Neny Purwitasari, S.Farm., M.Sc., stated that this program was designed to equip farmers with new knowledge and skills in processing agricultural products into value-added commodities. According to her, education on processing is the key to ensuring that communities do not rely solely on selling raw materials. "We integrate pharmaceutical understanding regarding product formulation and safety with realistic business strategies," she said.
During this activity, dozens of members from Farmer Group (Poktan) Sri Rejeki 1 and Women Farmer Group (KWT) in Dongko District received training materials covering patchouli essential oil quality control, processed material safety, and aromatherapy product formulation. Mentorship on pharmaceutical science was provided by Prof. Dr. apt. Wiwied Ekasari, M.Si., while business management and branding material was delivered by Dr. Fatin Fadhilah Hasib, S.E., M.Si. This interdisciplinary combination of materials was designed so that the knowledge acquired by farmers would not stop at technical production aspects but would also encompass understanding of business and marketing.
Karni, Chair of Poktan Sri Rejeki 1, acknowledged that this training opened new perspectives previously unfamiliar to farmers. "This education provided new insights. We now understand that the patchouli oil we produce can be processed ourselves into higher-value products, not just sold raw to middlemen," he said. Panijo, Head of Siki Village, also welcomed this education program and hopes the mentorship can continue sustainably to strengthen the institutional capacity of farmer groups in his village.
Through this empowerment-based education program, the Faculty of Pharmacy at UNAIR contributes to supporting the achievement of SDG 4 (Quality Education), by providing access to learning and improving practical skills for village communities outside the formal education system, as a foundation for developing sustainable independent enterprises.
