The Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), through its lecturers and Community Engagement (Pengmas) team, in collaboration with the Depok Bee Lovers Community, organized a Workshop and Training Program on Pesantren Economic Innovation through Honey Bee Cultivation and Business. The event took place on 17 November 2025 at the i-CELL Meeting Room, FTUI Building, and was attended by 28 participants from Pondok Pesantren Hidayatullah and UI students.
This community engagement program is designed to introduce an economic independence model based on honey bee cultivation while providing hands-on training through both technical and entrepreneurial approaches. The initiative aims to help increase the productivity and economic capacity of Pondok Pesantren Hidayatullah.
The event began with a presentation by Dr. Muhamad Sahlan, S.Si., M.Eng., a lecturer at the Department of Chemical Engineering FTUI. Dr. Sahlan delivered a comprehensive explanation of various honey bee species, stingless bee cultivation techniques, the economic potential of bee products, and the key factors that determine successful beekeeping. Participants learned about bee behavior, ideal environments, types of feed, predators, and safe and hygienic harvesting processes.
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“Budidaya lebah madu bukan hanya tentang memanen madu, tetapi membangun ekosistem yang sehat dan berkelanjutan. Ketika lingkungan dikelola dengan baik, lebah akan bekerja optimal dan menghasilkan produk berkualitas tinggi,” ujar Dr. Sahlan.
After the first session, participants were guided to the bee cultivation site within the FTUI campus area, where they observed the beehives directly and learned how a bee colony operates.
The second session was delivered by Dr. Rambat Lupiyoadi, a faculty member of the Faculty of Economics and Business UI, who discussed business opportunities derived from bee products and entrepreneurial development. He explained how honey, bee pollen, propolis, and royal jelly can be developed into products for the food, health, and beauty industries. Participants were also trained in building an entrepreneurial mindset, production skillsets, and digital marketing toolsets that could later be applied in their pesantren. The session concluded with an interactive discussion on pricing strategies, propolis extraction methods, and product differentiation opportunities.
FTUI Dean, Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for the successful implementation of this program.
“FTUI is strongly committed to delivering community engagement programs that are relevant and have a direct impact. This honey bee cultivation training not only shares knowledge about beekeeping but also opens new economic opportunities for pesantren communities. We hope such collaborations continue to grow and bring real benefits to society,” he said.
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Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Indonesia
