Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA) through the Real Work Practice (KKN) Recognition Program conducted a socialisation and training activity on the utilisation of teri jengki fish head waste into added-value crackers at Balai Pulau Pasaran, East Telukbetung District, Bandar Lampung City, on Wednesday (29/7/2026). This activity was part of the Community Service Program (PkM) with the theme “Strengthening the Sustainable Coastal Economy Through Processing of Teri Jengki Fish Head Waste in Pulau Pasaran” with an expert-based PkM scheme that also included design of a solar energy dryer.
The programme involved Food Technology Study Program Students and Mechanical Engineering Study Program Students at ITERA who collaborated to assist the community in developing a fish processing innovation based on local potential. This activity was a real implementation of the synergy between education, research, and community service through the application of knowledge and technology that could be directly utilised by the community.
Pulau Pasaran has until now been known as the largest teri fish processing centre in Bandar Lampung City. The high level of processing activity produced teri jengki fish head waste in quite large quantities. So far, this waste is generally only used as a mixture ingredient for bran or animal feed pellets, so it has relatively low economic value. Even though teri fish head still contains protein, fat, and various minerals that have the potential to be processed into a food product with added value.
Through this activity, the community was introduced to the technology of processing teri jengki fish head waste into crackers that have the potential to be developed as a local specialty product of Pulau Pasaran. In addition to increasing the economic value of fishery waste, this innovation was also expected to be able to open up new business opportunities for the coastal community.
The socialisation was started with a presentation on the solar energy dryer that was designed as a solution for the obstacle of the drying process during less supportive weather. The device utilised solar energy through a closed drying chamber so that heat and air circulation could work more optimally. With this technology, the drying process became more efficient, the product was better protected from dust and contamination, and did not entirely depend on direct sunlight intensity.
Next, the KKN Rekognisi team provided training on the stages of making teri jengki fish head crackers, starting from raw material preparation, fish head processing into flour, dough mixing, forming, boiling, slicing, drying, to frying and packaging. Participants also gained understanding of the importance of applying sanitation and food safety so that the products produced had good quality and were safe to consume.
To strengthen participants’ understanding, the team also conducted a direct cracker making demonstration so that the community could see and practice each stage of the production process. The demonstration was welcomed enthusiastically by the community, especially fish processing business actors and PKK mothers who attended the activity.
One of the participants, Ibu Ito, said that she gained many benefits from the training. According to her, this activity provided new insight into processing fish waste into a product with higher economic value.
“The activity was very positive because it provided knowledge to the mothers in Pulau Pasaran. Now we know that teri fish head can be processed into food that can be consumed or sold,” he said.
She also added that this training made her more confident to try to produce crackers independently because she had obtained formulations and stages of making that were clear.
Through this activity, ITERA again asserted its commitment as an Impact Campus that brings science and technology-based solutions to answer community needs. Collaboration between universities and coastal communities was expected to be able to encourage the downstreaming of fishery waste into added-value products, strengthen local economy, and reduce waste production through sustainable technology innovation.
