PT Pertamina (Persero) has extended a grant to CV Bunga Palm, a brown sugar producer in Purbalingga, Central Java, to enhance their production quality. The equipment donated by Pertamina is aimed at establishing a healthy kitchen for hundreds of coconut sap tappers under CV Bunga Palm's wing, ensuring that the resulting sugar products meet export standards. Fadjar Djoko Santoso, Vice President of Corporate Communication at Pertamina, explained that this grant falls under Pertamina's Pertapreneur Aggregator Program. This initiative is envisioned to empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to become self-reliant and competitive, ultimately fostering local and regional economic development. "This second-year initiative of Pertamina's Pertapreneur Aggregator Program is a form of mentoring to encourage MSMEs to collaborate, share knowledge, expand networks and markets, leading to sustainable economic empowerment," stated Fadjar Djoko Santoso.
CV Bunga Palm stands as the top-ranked Pertapreneur Aggregator for effectively collaborating with and nurturing other MSMEs by building collaborative networks within its vicinity. Fadjar elaborated that to participate in the Pertapreneur Aggregator program, Pertamina-supported MSMEs must demonstrate self-sufficiency and the ability to empower their local communities. The eligibility criteria include a minimum monthly turnover of IDR 50 million and uplifting at least three MSMEs. Meanwhile, Gunarto, the owner of CV Bunga Palm, emphasized that this new kitchen will prioritize aspects such as lighting, ventilation, kitchen equipment layout, healthy stoves, and supporting apparatus to enhance the quantity and quality of brown sugar production. Currently, Bunga Palm actively mentors 250 sap tappers across three villages in Purbalingga, integrated within the "Keping Emas" coconut sugar artisan group. Gunarto highlighted their commitment to building partnerships, offering ongoing education, ensuring product quality control, and fostering organic produce, including mentoring and product quality evaluations for farmers. "This ongoing program, proposed under the Pertapreneur Aggregator initiative, aims to establish healthy kitchens for 250 sap tappers across three villages to ensure their brown sugar products meet export standards," mentioned Gunarto.
