Gasebu grows its palm sugar business and opens the door to exports

Susanti began processing palm sugar in 2015 at the foot of the Bungbulang hills in Garut, West Java. Her products initially had no brand identity, and good quality alone did not make Gasebu widely known.

Limited capital, weak promotional access and basic bookkeeping delayed an export opportunity that emerged through several selection programs. Gasebu did not yet have the production and marketing systems needed to handle large-scale demand.

A turning point came when Susanti joined PNM Mekaar and received an initial loan of 4 million rupiah. She used the money to buy produce from palm farmers around Bungbulang and invited them to join her supported business group. The arrangement allowed the farmers to benefit from the financing while Susanti managed the group’s repayments collectively.

PNM’s support also included help designing more attractive packaging and developing digital marketing strategies. The program encouraged online sales and live shopping, and Gasebu’s Bungbulang palm sugar later went viral on TikTok. “This is truly an extraordinary platform. I feel very much appreciated,” Susanti said.

The wider exposure brought new market interest. Mahkota Bumi, an exporter from Cianjur, visited Susanti’s production site and requested samples while exploring a 30-ton export order. For Susanti, the request showed how broader recognition could open opportunities that had previously been difficult to reach because of limited production capital.

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This is truly an extraordinary platform. I feel very much appreciated.