Singaraja, Bali, October 17, 2026 — For Carli Mayos Talan, a 12th-grade student at SMK Negeri 1 Pandawai in East Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), inspiration came from the activities of fishermen at Palakahembi Beach. Meanwhile, for Putu Aditya Kusuma Wibawa and I Ketut Bagus Pramana Putra, 12th-grade students at SMA Negeri 4 Denpasar, Bali, business opportunities were found in canang waste, which is closely related to the lives of the local community.

For their innovation, they won first place in the 2026 Indonesian Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Festival (FIKSI) in different categories. Carli won first place in the Business Plan Category in the Agribusiness, Agrotechnology, and Maritime Sector, while Putu Aditya Kusuma Wibawa and I Ketut Bagus Pramana Putra won first place in the Business Development Category in the Health, Beauty, and Personal Care Sector.

For Carli, the idea for NETGREEN stemmed from her observations of the challenges faced by fishermen on Palakahembi Beach. The white trammel nets typically used by fishermen were deemed too conspicuous in shallow waters and seagrass beds. This made it easier for fish and shrimp to recognize the nets, reducing their chances of catching fish. "From that problem, NETGREEN was born, an environmentally friendly natural dye made from teak leaf extract for camouflage, increasing fishermen's catches and incomes," Carli said.

Through NETGREEN, Carli utilizes locally available teak leaves as the base material for net dye. The tannin and phenolic compounds in teak leaves are used to produce a greenish-brown color that resembles seagrass. This product is designed not only to help camouflage nets but also to support fishing gear maintenance through the use of natural ingredients.

The journey to developing this product wasn't always smooth sailing. Carli had to find a way to ensure the teak leaf extract's color adhered firmly to nylon netting and held up well in saltwater. In early experiments, the color faded easily after one or two trips to sea. She and her team even experienced four failures before attempting a fixation technique using alum and whiting lime.

This experience was a crucial part of Carli's learning process. She didn't stop at her initial idea, but instead sought to refine the formulation until she found an approach that she deemed more suited to the needs of fishermen.

Fauziah Arbi Abdulah, a mentoring teacher at SMK Negeri 1 Pandawai, explained that the mentoring process begins with students observing conditions in the field firsthand. They conduct observations starting at 5:00 a.m. WITA (Central Indonesian Time), as fishermen prepare to set sail, to help students understand the real-world problems faced by the community. "The mentoring is based on real-world problems in Palakahembi. I take students to observe the fishermen as they go out to sea, observing the contrasting white nets against the seagrass," Fauziah explained.

He believes NETGREEN is an example of how vocational education can be connected to community needs. Students not only develop fishing gear maintenance skills in the field of Fishing Vessel Nautical Engineering, but also learn to research natural materials, develop products, and develop business plans.

After winning the championship, Carli plans to introduce NETGREEN to the fishermen's joint business groups (KUB) in Palakahembi Village through outreach and demonstrations at the fish auction site. She also set the NETGREEN kit price at IDR 750,000 and a capacity of four to five nets. Collaboration with fisheries extension workers and fishermen's cooperatives is part of the business development plan.

A similar spirit is evident in the team from Denpasar State High School 4, which developed the 2-in-1 Roll-On Inhaler. Stemming from their concern for the organic waste problem in Bali and their interest in traditional medicine, they sought to create a modern health product that leverages local potential.

Putu Aditya Kusuma Wibawa explained that his team utilized traditional Balinese medicinal knowledge recorded in the Balinese Lontar Usada (Lontar Usada Bali) as a reference for developing the product formulation. This idea was then combined with the use of canang waste, creating added value and incorporating Balinese cultural elements into a more practical product.

"We are highlighting the cultural heritage passed down from our Balinese ancestors through the involvement of the Bali Provincial Language Center in the study of Balinese Lontar Usada. This is used in the formulation of our products. We want to transform traditional knowledge into practical, modern products," said Putu Aditya.

The product is designed with two functions in one package. The top portion serves as an inhaler , while the bottom portion is a roll-on to aid relaxation. The team also equipped the product with a QR code that links to an information page, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot, and augmented reality features to provide a three-dimensional educational experience for consumers.

For this team, innovation doesn't stop at product development. They also strive to build businesses that involve the local community. Komang Adi, a teacher at Denpasar State High School 4, explained that the business development opens up opportunities for collaboration with various parties, including traditional coconut oil collectors, community members who gather materials from temples, and massage service providers for the blind.

"Our students' innovative strength lies in utilizing organic waste, particularly canang waste, to create useful products. They also base their product development on traditional Balinese knowledge and build businesses that involve the local community," said Komang.

Beyond product development, Putu Aditya and I Ketut Bagus Pramana Putra are also learning to manage their time amidst their busy schedules as 12th-grade students. Preparing for their studies and graduation needs must continue, while the business they're building requires attention, from operational management to partner collaboration.

Their business now has standard operating procedures (SOPs), a stock inventory schedule, and a consignment system across several outlets. After winning FIKSI 2026, they plan to expand their market and involve juniors and peers in business development to ensure its continued success.

Komang believes the experience of participating in FIKSI has honed students' skills in networking, marketing, calculating profits, and conducting research to develop products. He hopes the school can continue to be a supportive space for students in testing ideas and developing innovations.

These two stories demonstrate that entrepreneurship in education isn't just about producing products or winning competitions. The process also teaches students to be sensitive to the issues around them, to be willing to try, to learn from failure, and to collaborate to develop solutions.

Through FIKSI 2026, ideas stemming from the needs of fishermen in East Sumba and the cultural and environmental potential of Denpasar were given space to develop into more focused business plans. This experience provided the students with the necessary tools to continue innovating and demonstrated that local potential can be a source of learning and entrepreneurial opportunities for the younger generation. *** (Author: Shaka, Editor: Rona Uly, Seno Hartono/Photographer: Puspresnas Team)

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