Former Overseas Worker Leads Pertamina-Supported UMKM, Balongan Crackers Break Into Export Market
A former migrant domestic worker from the coastal region of Indramayu, West Java, has successfully penetrated international markets with traditional food products. Home-produced crackers (rengginang) have now been exported to Australia through a network of micro, small and medium enterprises (UMKM) supported by Pertamina.
Mahani, a resident of Balongan, Indramayu, previously spent approximately twelve years working abroad to support her family. She worked in the Middle East, including in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and worked in the kitchen of the Royal Palace of Brunei Darussalam for four years.
Whilst working abroad, Mahani had to leave her young children in their home village. Her children were cared for by her mother due to the family’s economic circumstances.
When her children reached secondary school age, Mahani decided to return to Indonesia. She wanted to be closer to her family whilst seeking an income source in her home village.
Upon returning from abroad, Mahani began a small business making crackers at home. The products were subsequently consigned to local village shops.
Although there was reasonable demand, the income from the cracker business was initially insufficient to meet family needs. Mahani then attempted another venture by selling doughnuts.
Her doughnuts gradually became known among the local community and were quite popular amongst sailors who stopped in the Indramayu coastal area.
“The doughnuts last a long time. Sailors like them because they can be eaten even after being stored for a long time,” Mahani told Republika.
The small business developed further when micro entrepreneurs in Balongan Village began establishing cooperation to market local products. This collaboration has existed since around 2010 and has continued to develop.
The cooperation subsequently evolved into an UMKM community known as Teras Balongan. This business group is a mentoring partner of PT Pertamina and officially began operations in 2025.
Mahani, who now serves as Chair of Teras Balongan UMKM, stated that the community supports dozens of local entrepreneurs producing various speciality products from the North Coast region.
“Teras Balongan officially began operations in 2025. However, UMKM cooperation actually started in 2010 and has continued to develop to the present day,” said Mahani.