UNAIR NEWS – The Chemistry Student Association (Himaki) of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again demonstrated its commitment to creating a meaningful impact on society. Through a community service programme held from Sunday to Tuesday (July 19–21, 2026), Himaki UNAIR introduced STROCARE, a natural biopesticide made from apple and lemongrass extracts. The innovation was developed to support the management of strawberry farms in Batu City, which are independently operated by beneficiaries of a mental health disability foundation.
Addressing agricultural challenges and community needs
The initiative began with the students’ desire to make a tangible contribution to agriculture and small businesses. The strawberry farm in Batu City is fully managed by beneficiaries from a disability foundation in Sidoarjo who have successfully completed emotional stability assessments.
However, the farm managers frequently face serious challenges due to extreme weather conditions. Yoga, a representative of the Himaki UNAIR team, explained the difficulties encountered by the farmers.“The biggest challenge comes during the rainy season, when fungal diseases and pests often attack the farm. During our interviews, they told us that they wanted to move away from synthetic pesticides so they could produce their own pesticides and reduce production costs,” said Yoga.
Recognising the significant decline in the farmers’ income caused by pest infestations, the Himaki UNAIR team was motivated to provide an integrated solution through an environmentally friendly and cost-effective biopesticide.
Chemistry-based research: Combining apples and lemongrass
The formulation of STROCARE began with extensive research into active compounds capable of preventing fungal infections and pest attacks. “We first studied which compounds are commonly used to repel pests and fungi. We found that apples are rich in flavonoids, tannins, and polyphenols, while lemongrass contains citronellal and geraniol, which are highly effective against pests and fungal diseases,” he explained.
Before being applied in the field, the formulation underwent several independent tests. The team evaluated its effectiveness on strawberry seedlings and measured the product’s acidity level (pH). “We sprayed our formulation, and it worked. The fungi disappeared, and the strawberry plants remained healthy. The pH was also within the standard range for pesticides, at approximately 5.7,” he added.
Environmentally friendly biopesticide
In addition to reducing farm operating costs, STROCARE offers significant environmental benefits by supporting soil health and ecosystem sustainability.
“Synthetic pesticides contain chemicals that can damage soil structure and reduce soil nutrients. Our biopesticide, on the other hand, is made from natural ingredients that can be broken down by soil microorganisms and even help improve soil fertility,” he explained.
During the programme, the Himaki UNAIR team also recognised the importance of providing continuous education for the farm managers. “They responded very positively and were enthusiastic about the programme. To ensure they fully understand the production process, we will return with a guidebook so they can continue producing the biopesticide independently,” he concluded.
Author: Fauziah Laili Romadhon
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
