Seputarkarawang.com - Karawang, Karawang, 3 May 2026 — Students from the Faculty of Agriculture, Singaperbangsa University Karawang (UNSIKA) together with the Karawang Entrepreneur Sejahtera UMKM Foundation (KERSA) held a strategic discussion regarding strengthening the agribusiness sector, Sunday (3/5/2026), in the Galuh Mas area, Karawang.The discussion which lasted until evening brought together academic perspectives and practical field experience, with the main focus on the issue of distribution and marketing of agricultural products which is still the main challenge for actors UMKM.The five students who attended this activity were Raafi Sholahudin, Cep Anton, Irvan Nur Ferdiansyah, Lutfia Maulidia, and Lia Irawati. They discussed the implementation of lecture knowledge in real practice, as well as offering a number of strategic ideas.Some of the ideas that emerged included strengthening the marketing of agricultural products to modern retail networks through a quality grading system, as well as exploring distribution to health facilities to meet the healthy food needs of patients and the community.Apart from the marketing aspect, the discussion also highlighted production efficiency, including the application of cultivation techniques such as plant cross-breeding and strategies for reducing the Cost of Goods Production (HPP). Efficiency is considered to be the key for products to be able to compete in the market.One of the participants, Irvan Nur Ferdiansyah, a student from Bojonegoro, Central Java, also shared his experience of running a marinated fish business. He revealed that the challenge currently being faced is the increasing price of plastic packaging materials which has an impact on production costs.In response to this, KERSA provides a perspective regarding regulations and alternative solutions to reduce production costs, especially in dealing with fluctuations in prices of raw materials and business supports.The Chair of the KERSA Kartim Group, Idris, assesses that collaboration between students and field business actors has great potential in encouraging innovation in the agricultural sector.
"Students have a mindset that is still fresh and adaptive. This becomes a strength when combined with practical experience in the field," said Idris.As a follow-up, KERSA is opening up internship opportunities for students in the field of horticultural agriculture, especially in the melon cultivation program which is being developed in Puserjaya Village, East Telukjambe District, Karawang.This activity is expected to be the first step in sustainable collaboration between academics and practitioners in encouraging more modern, efficient and competitive agriculture. at regional and national levels.
