Bandung, Telkom University – In order to help the marketing process of Mekarsari Village bamboo products, Telkom University students made an innovative product called Selaawi Smart Market (SMART) to make it easier for craftsmen in Mekarsari Village to market products directly to end-users. SMART also made it into the Top 150 in the Innovillage program.

SMART was developed by three Tel-U students, namely Aqila Zahra Qonita (S1 Digital Public Relations); Fadhly Al-farizi (S1 Informatics); and Rham Hadi Al-Fauzan (S1 Digital Public Relations). The development of the SMART application began in September 2022, the three students were guided by a lecturer from the Faculty of Communication and Business, Choiria Anggraini, M.I.Kom.

According to Team Leader, Aqila Zahra Qonita, there are several main objectives of SMART. First, to reduce the economic gap between craftsmen and collectors. Second, to increase creativity in bamboo products to match current market demands. Third, to market bamboo handicraft products more widely online.

The development of the SMART website took about 2-3 weeks. During this time, the team conducted initial coordination with partners in Selaawi Sub-district, Mekarsari Village and socialization with the craftsmen specifically to determine the problems being faced.

“Next, as a result of the initial coordination, we prepared a proposal while continuing to coordinate further with the partners accompanied by the accompanying lecturers to review and ensure that the innovations provided were as needed,” said Aqila.

As an accompanying lecturer, Choiria Anggraini, hopes that the implementation of SMART innovation products can be replicated in every village in Selaawi that has the same problems. So that the benefits provided are not only obtained by Mekarsari village bamboo craftsmen, but evenly distributed in each village. “We hope that SMART can make craftsmen able to market products independently so as to increase the value of income and creativity of craftsmen to create creative bamboo products according to market demand.” Choiria said. Telkom University

Penulis: Abdullah Adnan | Editor: Daris Maulana | Foto: Public Relations