The Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Jember (UNEJ) has taken a significant step to support moringa farmers in the village of Pakandangan Sangra, Bluto District, Sumenep Regency, in their quest to compete in the international market. On September 3, 2023, they generously donated a Moringa Leaf Dryer to the local moringa farmers. This gift, developed by the MORINDEV Innovation and Development of Moringa Research Group at UNEJ, boasts several advantages. It is particularly effective during the rainy season, as it doesn't rely on sunlight. Moreover, it saves time, offers adjustable temperature settings, and prevents contamination from outdoor elements.
Djoko Soedjono, a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture and a member of the research group, highlighted the dryer's production capacity of up to 8 kg per day. With a temperature of 60°C, it only takes 4 hours to dry the moringa leaves, and at 50°C, it takes 5 hours. Farmers can tailor their production rates to meet their needs, ensuring that moringa derivatives are hygienic for consumption. The aim is to make Bluto Village a research and production hub for moringa and its derivatives on Madura Island, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the cleanliness and nutritional value of moringa products. Ahmad Nurdi, the local group's chairman, expressed the immense value of this donation, particularly during the rainy season when moringa product demand must be met. Products like moringa noodles, moringa crackers, moringa chips, and rice cakes are produced by the local farmers and entrepreneurs. They view the UNEJ dryer as a crucial solution to address their challenges and enhance moringa cultivation, considering the global demand for moringa, with Indonesia being one of the primary suppliers. In the future, they hope to emulate the innovation in moringa drying, enhancing product sterility and safety. Previously, the Faculty of Agriculture at UNEJ also donated moringa leaf distillation equipment, furthering their commitment to supporting moringa farmers.
