BUPER Talk, a national webinar organized as part of the 79th Anniversary of the Faculty of Agriculture Universitas Gadjah Mada (Faperta UGM), was held by the Department of Agronomy on 27 August 2024. The online event was conducted via Zoom, focusing on the theme “Artisan Tea: Functional Beverage for Wellness.” The webinar featured two speakers: Ir. Iriana Ekasari Muadz, M.M., Founder of the Indonesian Artisan Tea Association, and Dr.nat.techn. Rizky Pasthika Kirana, S.P., M.Sc., a lecturer from the Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, UGM. The session was moderated by Dr. Elly Syafriani, S.P., also from the Department of Agronomy.
“The BUPER Talk #11 serves as a platform for fostering relationships and exchanging knowledge and experiences among academics, practitioners, and the broader community. We hope it enriches our understanding and broadens our perspectives,” stated Rani Agustina Wulandari, S.P., M.P., Ph.D., Head of the Department of Agronomy.
The chosen theme highlighted the potential of enhancing well-being through improved quality of life, particularly in terms of health. Exploring Indonesian consumption habits regarding food and beverages, the discussion emphasized how incorporating functional beverages, especially artisan tea, can boost health.
Ir. Iriana Ekasari Muadz, M.M., shared her innovative approach to promoting artisan tea, a functional beverage with significant health benefits. “Millennials and Gen Z perceive things differently. With the establishment of the Indonesian Artisan Tea Association, we aim to elevate the image of Indonesian tea and contribute to national health. Artisan tea is enriched in flavor and produced using natural methods and materials,” she explained.
Dr. Rizky Pasthika Kirana, who specializes in plant breeding, noted the opportunities in breeding not just for yield improvement but also for developing crops with enhanced nutritional qualities.
“Nutrition is essential for everyone, as health is influenced by what we consume—whether food or drink. The materials used to create artisan tea can be improved through biofortification and expanded with plant breeding innovations,” Rizky emphasized.
The successful execution of BUPER Talk #11 reflects the Faculty of Agriculture UGM’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 3:Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4:Quality Education, and SDG 10:Reduced Inequalities.
Author: Khairani Nabilah, Ghorizatu Shofra
Editor: Desi Utami