Community Empowerment Behind Garut’s Sugar Success Story

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - What began as a small-scale household effort in Garut, West Java, has grown into a community-driven enterprise with export potential. The story of Susanti, founder of Gasebu (Gula Semut Bungbulang), illustrates how collective empowerment and institutional support can transform local products into global commodities.

Exporters from Cianjur have already expressed interest in purchasing up to 30 tons of Gasebu for trial exports. This milestone reflects not only product quality but also the impact of PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM), which has combined financing with empowerment programs to help ultra-micro businesses scale up.

“It’s not just about capital; it’s about opening pathways for small businesses to grow,” said PNM President Director Kindaris in Jakarta, Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Susanti, who began processing palm sugar in 2015, initially struggled with limited capital, minimal promotion, and basic record-keeping. Opportunities for export were delayed because her production system could not yet meet large-scale demand.

The turning point came when she joined PNM Mekaar, receiving an initial loan of IDR 4 million (USD 226,88). She used the funds to purchase palm sap from local farmers and invited them to join her cooperative group.

Through PNM’s empowerment programs, Susanti received training in product packaging, digital marketing, and online sales strategies. The initiative expanded into a community effort, with dozens of residents trained to produce palm sugar from their homes.

Today, Susanti’s enterprise supports 130 people --113 palm farmers and 17 production workers -- spreading economic benefits across Bungbulang.

She expressed hopes the branding and development support will continue, ensuring sustainability beyond a single success. “Hopefully there will be more programs to expand our business and create wider impact for the community,” she concluded. ***