Dr Lila Yuwana SSi MSi shows the design of the Electric Wheelbarrow as a tool to help transport palm oil harvests which is being developed by the ITS research team.

ITS Campus, ITS News – Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) has once again demonstrated its commitment to supporting the national strategic sector. This time, ITS is collaborating with the Indonesian Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) through three technological innovations to accelerate the development of a sustainable palm oil ecosystem in Indonesia.

One of the research team leaders from ITS, Dr. Lila Yuwana SSi MSi, explained that these three innovations are the result of the 2023 Grand Palm Oil Research (GRS) program which is fully funded by BPDPKS. “This GRS scheme is very strategic because it allows for multi-year research that reaches from upstream to downstream and has a direct impact on the community,” he explained.

One of the leading innovations comes from her team, Dr. rer nat Ir. Maya Shovitri, in the form of iFovib-G, an intelligent robot that can detect Ganoderma boninense disease early. Using a combination of photon and vibration technology, iFovib-G can detect and potentially inhibit the growth of fungi that are the main scourge of oil palm farmers. “Detection is carried out even before symptoms appear on the surface of the trunk, so that preventive measures can be taken immediately,” explained the lecturer from the ITS Biology Department.

Dr Lila Yuwana SSi MSi shows the Electric Wheelbarrow at the ITS Research and Technology Innovation Gallery (GRIT) as an efficient and environmentally friendly TBS transport solution.

In addition, innovations in palm oil harvesting tools were also developed through Egrek Digital from a team led by Dr. Eng Erwin Widodo ST MEng. Carrying the name Egrek Merah Putih, this tool has an angle sensor, cutting assistance system, and a camera to detect the level of fruit ripeness based on machine learning . The ITS Industrial and Systems Engineering lecturer revealed that this innovation was designed to overcome dependence on imported egrek (a tool used in harvesting palm oil) and increase harvest efficiency.

Answering the challenge of transporting fresh fruit bunches (FFB), ITS also presents the Electric Wheelbarrow , an electric transport cart developed by a team led by Dr. Lila Yuwana SSi MSi from the Department of Physics. With a two-front wheel system and differential axle , this tool is able to maneuver in narrow and uphill areas without burdening the farmer’s energy. “This cart can also be charged using solar panels and has a range of up to 10 kilometers per charge,” he explained.

iFovib-G, an intelligent robot resulting from ITS research designed to detect Ganoderma boninense disease early in oil palm plants before symptoms appear on the surface.

The three innovations have been tested directly in South Kalimantan and Surabaya. As a result, farmers responded positively due to work efficiency and reduced physical fatigue. These products are also being prepared for commercialization through the Indonesian Inventor Association (AII) after the research period ends in 2025.

The collaboration between ITS and BPDPKS is a real manifestation of how academic research can answer national challenges. By continuing to encourage innovation downstreaming, ITS hopes to be able to strengthen the role of universities in supporting a more sustainable, efficient, and independent palm oil sector.

Through these three innovations, ITS also supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Especially for point 3 on healthy living through plant disease detection, point 7 on clean energy by utilizing solar power, and point 8 on increasing farmer work productivity. ( ITS PUBLIC RELATIONS)

Reporter: Nadhifa Raghda Syaikha
Translator : Devinka Mutianeira