Lecturers of the Department of Agricultural Industrial Technology, University of Bengkulu (UNIB) together with a cross-faculty team encourage the development of Bengkulu bee pollen to have better quality and competitiveness. These efforts are carried out through community service activities in Lubuk Gilang Village, Air Periukan District, Seluma Regency, with the theme “Downstreaming Bengkulu Bee Pollen through Quality Improvement Based on Solar Energy Dryers, Product Legality, and Market Access Optimization.” which was held on Saturday, July 8, 2026. This activity is part of the university’s efforts to develop the potential of local products while increasing the added value of the community’s economy.

One of the innovations introduced in the activity is solar energy drying technology for post-harvest bee pollen handling. This technology is expected to be able to produce products with lower moisture content, better quality, and a longer shelf life compared to conventional drying methods. In addition to processing technology, the public also receives education about quality, sanitation and hygiene standards, as well as attractive packaging techniques that are in accordance with food standards.

Not stopping at improving product quality, the service team also provides an understanding of the legality of businesses and products, starting from Business Identification Numbers (NIB), Household Industrial Food Production Certificates (SPP-IRT), to the importance of halal certification. This aspect is considered important to increase consumer trust while opening up wider marketing opportunities for Bengkulu bee pollen products. Participants are also equipped with marketing strategies through branding, packaging design, pricing, and the use of digital media and marketplaces.

This activity was chaired by Ulfah Anis, S.T.P., M.Sc., a lecturer at the Faculty of Agriculture of the Agricultural Industrial Technology Study Program, with members Sri Wulandari, S.T.P., M.Sc., from the Agricultural Industrial Technology Study Program and Rama Dani Eka Putra, S.H., S.T., M.T., from the Industrial Engineering Study Program, Faculty of Engineering. The activity also involved students Muhammad Mirza Lutfi Ainurraqiq and Perta Okamala and was attended by the Head of Lubuk Gilang Village, village officials, farmer groups/Ranger Bee beekeeping groups, and local communities. This program is funded by the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM) of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology in 2026 through the Community-Based Empowerment Scheme with contract number 1969/UN30.15/PM/2026.

Through these activities, the service team hopes that Bengkulu bee pollen will not only become a product of beekeeping, but also develop into value-added products with better quality, safety, legality, and market access. Strengthening post-harvest technology, legality, and marketing strategies is expected to increase the capacity of the people of Lubuk Gilang Village in developing businesses based on local potential and become part of efforts to downstream agricultural and livestock products in Bengkulu Province.