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Metro, August 2026 — The development of food industry SMEs does not only require product innovation, but also support for the production system, quality control, and technology utilization. This became one of the focuses of the Study Program Food Technology at Institut Teknologi Sumatera (ITERA) through the Community Service (PKM) activity with UMKM Telaga Rizqy Metro.
Through the program entitled “UMKM Naik Kelas: Strengthening Goat Milk Quality through the Application of Quality Control, Process Modernization, and GMP at UMKM Telaga Rizqy Metro”, the PKM team assisted the partner in strengthening the goat milk production process.

One of the main agendas of the activity was the introduction of Lactoscan as an instrument to help with testing the characteristics and composition of milk. The team not only provided understanding of the use of the tool, but also assisted the partner in reading and understanding the analysis results obtained.
The test result data can become important information for business actors in evaluating the condition of raw materials and maintaining product quality. Therefore, quality control is expected to be carried out more measurably and not only based on direct observation.
The activity coordinator, Hesti A. Pangastuti, S.T.P., M.Sc., Ph.D., stated that the utilization of analysis technology needs to be followed by the ability to interpret the results.

What is important is not only knowing the test results, but understanding the information and using it as the basis for determining actions in the production process or quality control.

Apart from quality testing, the team also provided assistance related to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in the processing of pasteurized milk. Several aspects that were strengthened include sanitation, personal hygiene, material handling, process control, and product management during the production activity.
The application of GMP is an important part in building production practices that are more hygienic, orderly, and consistent. The approach is expected to help partners increase the application of food safety principles in production activities in daily life.

 

It does not stop at improving the production process; the PKM activity is also directed at developing added-value products. ITERA encourages the utilization of spray dryer technology to support the plan to develop goat milk powder at UMKM Telaga Rizqy.
Processing into powder form provides opportunities for partners to carry out product diversification based on goat milk. In addition to expanding product alternatives, this development is expected to open new market opportunities and increase the economic value of local raw materials.
“The expectation is that this activity will not only produce improvements from the quality aspect. We also want the technology provided to have an impact on productivity, efficiency, product diversification, and UMKM competitiveness,” said Hesti.
Collaboration Between Lecturers and Students
The PKM activity was also collaborated with KKN Rekognisi ITERA. Through this integration, students gained the opportunity to be involved directly in supporting UMKM development according to partner needs.
Student involvement can be directed to various supporting activities, starting from education, product development, promotion, to other activities that are relevant to strengthening the business. This collaboration is also a form of applying the knowledge obtained by students so that it can provide benefits directly to the community.
According to Hesti, involvement of various parties is one of the strengths in the UMKM assistance program.
“With the KKN Rekognisi, the program impact can be broader. The main activities remain focused on quality control, GMP, and technology transfer, while students can help with other needs that support UMKM development.”
Through that activity, the Study Program Food Technology at ITERA is trying to build an assistance pattern that is not only oriented on knowledge transfer. Technology utilization, application of good production practices, and product development become part of the effort to build comprehensive UMKM capacity.
In the future, assistance is expected to continue to be developed, especially in optimizing processing technology, improving quality and food safety, developing goat milk powder, and strengthening business aspects. Thus, the potential of local goat milk can be utilized into a product that has added value and supports increasing the competitiveness of UMKM Telaga Rizqy.
Study Program Food Technology at ITERA — Productive, Innovative, and Impactful for the Community.