Honey is a result of honey bee which has lots of benefits for health. Indonesia has potency as honey producer because of the many sources of nectar. But honey quality in Indonesia is relatively low since its high water content. This regard cause Indonesian honey is not able yet to be exported since its quality is inferior to other honey producer countries. Because honey is not able yet to be exported, cause honey also not having competitiveness in ASEAN Economic Communities (AEC) yet.
This regard attracts University of Brawijaya students’ interest in order to be creative in Student Creativity Program in subject of Entrepreneurship (PKM-K) by creating honey processed product especially for the purpose of consumption named honey Cream or Hoca. They are Faisal Najib (Faculty of Animal Husbandry 2014), Elsa Septiara (Faculty of Agriculture 2012), Fitria Rizki Novitasari (Faculty of Agricultural Technology 2012), Fetri Ana Wuriyanti (Faculty of Animal Husbandry 2013) and Bara Kurniawan (Faculty of Animal Husbandry 2013).
Hoca is a honey processed product made of pure honey without any addition of other materials thus the product is safe for consumption and also not reducing its benefit value.
Event Head of Convener Faisal Najib delivered, the main reason of Hoca product manufacturing is, during the time honey in Indonesia is marketed in form of pure. “By creating a variant of processed honey as other products especially for consumption needs will increase honey economic value thus able to compete in AEC market,” said Faisal.
Under supervision of a lecturer named Dr. Ir. Imam Thohari, MP, the cross major students processes honey product by using controlled honey crystallization thus will form honey with smooth texture like cream.
Faisal explained, Hoca honey cream is made of 100 percent pure honey thus very beneficial for health. “The advantages of Hoca honey cream are gluten free, without added flavorings, without additional coloring, without added preservations. The function of Hoca honey cream are such as increasing the immune system, and source of antioxidants. The product is produced by using clean method and so not easily damaged. Hoca honey cream could be presented along with bread, ice cream, biscuit, cake, etc,” he said.
Recently, marketing is concentrated in Malang area with the system of driving around housing around Malang city by spreading leaflets, selling on campus sidewalks, deposit in minimarket, distributors and selling at events. During selling will be provided testimony and suggestion box service by social media, and organizes sweepstakes each month in order to get reputation amic consumers.
“In the future, development of Hoca marketing area will be extended into Was Java region, thereafter throughout Indonesia and being exported. Meanwhile for product development will be held by registering products at BPOM, LPPOM and TOP BRAND, making honey cream from different type of honey, creating different packing, and creating other products made from honey,” he ended. [Irene/Humas UB/trans. Denok]
