Aceh's Syiah Kuala University (USK) exports patchouli oil to France with an economic value of around IDR 2.5 billion. The export will be routinely carried out every two months. The release of these export commodities was carried out by USK Rector Prof. Marwan at the USK Essentials Research Center (ARC) Office in Banda Aceh, Monday (5/12/2022). The export is said to restore the glory of Tanah Rencong patchouli. "This export activity is part of the ARC milestone that we have been planning for a long time. Thank God, it is our hard work and good intentions that have finally paid off," said USK ARC Chairman Syaifullah Muhammad in a written statement to Syaifullah said that besides being very meaningful from an economic point of view, the export activity was also able to encourage people's enthusiasm to grow patchouli. With exports, ARC will need a lot of patchouli oil from farmers. Director of PT. U Green Aromatics International Faisal Al Farisi said the export activity was a business collaboration between USK and a French company, Nat Green. After this export, USK will routinely export patchouli oil every two months. According to Faisal, the process to achieve exports is not easy because there are many conditions that must be met. These conditions include that USK must provide real data related to the condition of patchouli farming in Aceh in addition to patchouli oil. "The data is audited by international institutions. So like that, apart from patchouli oil, we also have to provide data. This is a form of changing times and we must be prepared," he explained.

USK Chancellor Prof Marwan said he was proud of the achievements made by ARC. Previously, ARC had launched anti-aging products in collaboration with PT. Focustindo in West Java. "Research downstream like this is very important to increase the economic value of a commodity such as patchouli. Therefore, I would also like to express my gratitude to all those who have supported USK's work so far to improve the welfare of patchouli farmers," said Marwan. "We call this collaboration pentahelix. Where the government, business world, universities, media and society collaborate to support the patchouli industry in Aceh. This joint commitment is what we must always strengthen," he said.

Source: https://www.detik.com/sumut/berita/d-6444665/usk-aceh-ekspor-oil-nilam-rp-25-miliar-ke-prancis