Thursday on 2 February 2022, the Research Team for the Independent Learning Campus Program (Lit MBKM) of the Faculty of Biology UGM, chaired by Dr. Rarastoeti Pratiwi M.Sc. with Pratama Atha Nafi, Diani Nur Dzakiyah, Lutfi Maulana and Cintya Angelina, have carried out an initial visit at CV Pradipta Paramita, Karanganyar, Central Java. The visit was warmly welcomed by Dra. Agnes Heratri M.P., as the Main Director of CV Pradipta Paramita, along with several managerial staff. In his remarks, he said that CV Pradipta Paramita was very open to the partnership that would be forged with the UGM Faculty of Biology. According to Mrs. Agnes, she is very happy with this collaboration, because as an alumni of the 1982 batch of the Faculty of Biology UGM, she hopes to provide more benefits to her alma mater.
During the meeting, it was also conveyed about the activities and various products that have been produced by CV Pradipta Paramita, including in the form of supplements and probiotics to support the health of livestock and fish, various organic plant fertilizers, as well as biological agents to control horticultural plant pests. CV Pradipta Paramita also produces various herbal-based health drink products. The company also has an experimental garden where product prototypes are tested to be applied to horticultural crops. Product marketing from this CV covers various cities in Indonesia.
After listening to an explanation from CV Pradipta Paramita, then followed by a discussion between the MBKM Lit team at the Faculty of Biology UGM. The discussion began with some questions from students, starting from the beginning of the establishment of CV Pradipta Paramita, to becoming the Biotechnology Industry. Mrs. Agnes explained about the many problems that arise in society, starting from the health, agriculture, fishery and environment sectors. In fact, Indonesia has extraordinary biological wealth, which can be used to overcome these problems. The various products produced by CV Pradipta started with the results of research, observation and field tests, data analysis and then made products that have been tested and registered with the relevant agencies to be traded.
The MBKM Research Team also conveyed the theme of the research that would be carried out jointly, namely regarding the development of butterfly pea plants as a health drink and anti-pest product for cultivated plants. The butterfly pea plant (Clitoria ternate) is the choice, because based on a literature review, the butterfly pea flower has properties as an antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-depressant. In addition to its distinctive color, blue to purple, butterfly pea flowers can be combined with various other herbs and nutrients, so that they can be made into health drinks. In addition, the eggplant also contains compounds that can be used as insecticides, hence that it can be developed into a biological agent for controlling pests in horticultural crops.
During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Faculty of Biology UGM and CV. Pradipta Paramita signed by the Main Director, Dra. Agnes Heratri, M.P., with the Dean, Prof. Dr. Budi Setiadi Daryono, M.Agr.Sc. This collaboration is expected to be expanded and improved again for the next five years. The visit ended with mementos in the form of several health drink products from CV Pradipta Paramita.