ITB Students Create Eco-Friendly Pest Control Innovation, Win National SEARY 8.0 Championship
By Indira Akmalia Hendri - Mahasiswa Perencanaan Wilayah dan Kota, 2021
Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
Members of the Bleeidmates team at the SEARY 8.0 award ceremony.
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – Three students from Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB), majoring in Postharvest Technology (class of 2021) and part of the Bleeidmates team, won first place in the national competition Soedirman Event of Animal Husbandry (SEARY) 8.0 under the Food subtrack. The team members are Adira Hestriyasha, Najwa Zati Hulwani, and Angela Valentina Saputra.
Their innovation, titled "Innovation in Controlling Fruit Flies (Bactrocera dorsalis) in Tomato Plants (Solanum lycopersicum) Using the Push-Pull Technique as a Sustainable Food Security Effort," focuses on environmentally friendly pest control, particularly in tomato cultivation, to support national food security. This innovation earned them a silver medal in the competition.
The Bleeidmates team’s interest in SEARY 8.0 stemmed from the strong alignment between the competition’s theme and their field of study in Postharvest Technology at ITB. After reviewing the competition guidelines, they began formulating initial ideas related to food security issues.
“The discussion process was quite intensive. We filtered various ideas in our minds into a simple yet impactful and applicable concept. After careful consideration, we agreed to focus on the Food subtrack,” said Angel. 
A project by the Bleeditmates team, implementing the push-pull method as an innovative approach to controlling fruit flies in tomato crops.
During the development of their project, they actively consulted with their advisor, Dr. Ir. Rika Alfianny, M.P., who provided guidance and feedback to refine their idea and ensure it aligned with the competition’s theme.
Group photo with advisor Dr. Ir. Rika Alfianny, M.P. (left) and Head of the Postharvest Technology Program Dr. Rijanti Rahaju Maulani, S.P., M.Si. (right).
This achievement has motivated them to continue developing impactful innovations. “We hope this innovation can serve as an alternative solution for environmentally friendly pest control that is easy for farmers to implement,” said Adira.
Through this accomplishment, the Bleeidmates team hopes to inspire other students to create innovative ideas that support sustainable agriculture and food security in Indonesia.
Reporter: Indira Akmalia Hendri (Regional and Urban Planning, 2021)
Translator: Dina Avanza Mardiana (Microbiology, 2022)
