ULM Plant Protection Students Transform Pests into Educational Souvenirs with Economic Value

BANJARBARU – Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) has once again presented a creative innovation through students from the Plant Protection Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture. During their Community Service Program (KKN) and Internship program, the students successfully transformed plant pests, which are typically detrimental to farmers, into unique souvenirs with economic value.

The resulting products include key chains, educational mini displays, and insect frames created from preserved pests. The student team leader, Ismail Raditia, explained that this idea arose from their desire to add value to something previously considered detrimental.

“Pests can be preserved and used as educational media and creative souvenirs. Besides reducing waste, it also opens up new business opportunities,” he said on Saturday (September 13, 2025).

The work was born from the creative hands of students: Ismail Radita, Fauzi Randa Winanda, Dinda Rahma A., Razkhel Az-Zahra, Amelia Adilya, and Nazwa Nazelina. This innovation not only showcases an artistic side but also serves as a learning tool about insect diversity, particularly as it relates to agriculture.

The supervising lecturer, Prof. H. Ismed Setya Budi, welcomed the idea. According to him, the ULM students’ work is not just a creative project, but also part of public education.

“Students not only understand pest biology, but are also able to see economic opportunities from a different perspective. This innovation aligns with the MBKM spirit of developing creativity and entrepreneurship,” he explained.

Through this breakthrough, ULM proves that the academic world is capable of generating solution ideas that are both beneficial to farmers and educational. Pests, once considered a problem, are now transformed into creative products that are useful for the community.