Two decades of struggle: Rosidah grows brown sugar MSME with BRI Sumenep's KUR

A thin plume of smoke rises from a modest production kitchen in Pragaan Laok Village, Sumenep Regency. Amid the distinctive sweet aroma of brown sugar, Rosidah (50) has dedicated much of her life to preserving this traditional culinary craft. For Rosidah, brown sugar is not merely a trade commodity but a part of her life’s journey. Since 2006, she has developed a Madurese brown sugar business using sap from the siwalan or lontar palm trees that grow abundantly in Sumenep. Two decades ago, the journey was far from smooth. In the early days, Rosidah faced numerous limitations, from very traditional production tools to frequent capital shortfalls. “Alhamdulillah, over time, the quality of my brown sugar began to attract consumers. Orders started coming in,” she said. Gradually but surely, a major leap in Rosidah’s business occurred in 2016. She realised that the surging market demand could not be met without a significant injection of working capital. At that point, Rosidah decided to apply for a People’s Business Credit (KUR) loan at the BRI Pragaan Unit. “I had been a BRI customer for a long time, but it was only in 2016 that I dared to apply for a KUR loan. I applied for Rp25 million, and the process was fast with a very responsive team from BRI. I chose KUR because of its low interest rate and the fact that it requires no collateral. It is perfect for a small business like mine,” Rosidah explained. This initial step proved to be the right stimulus for her business. The fresh funds were immediately allocated to strengthen the availability of raw materials in her kitchen. The first three years after becoming a KUR customer were very sweet, with her business turnover accelerating. After her first loan was fully repaid, Rosidah again entrusted her business development to BRI and applied for a second loan of Rp50 million. Seeing her positive business track record, in 2024, BRI granted her even greater trust with a KUR facility worth Rp100 million, a fantastic amount for a village MSME. For Rosidah, the KUR working capital from BRI brought tangible benefits that directly changed her business landscape. “This funding from BRI is very beneficial for us, especially for procuring raw materials and production equipment to meet demand,” she stated. The impact of sufficient capital has allowed Rosidah’s business to advance massively. She proudly notes that after receiving capital intervention from BRI KUR, her business has grown significantly. Daily production scale has increased sharply to meet the relentless market demand. Her brown sugar production has risen from an average of around 200 kilograms per day before the KUR support to a range of 500 kilograms per day now. “Alhamdulillah, we can also help the local community. Besides sourcing raw materials from them, we also help absorb labour. When I first started this business, I did it alone; now I have six workers,” she revealed. The fruits of her 20 years of perseverance are now deeply rooted. The market she reaches is no longer limited to the surrounding village but has expanded across regency borders to Pamekasan, Sampang, and Bangkalan. Her marketing system has also become more modern and practical thanks to the trust built over time. Shop owners from Pamekasan to Sampang simply contact her by phone to place orders. Once an order is received, Rosidah immediately prepares the logistics to supply these shops regularly. In line with the increase in business volume, Rosidah’s brown sugar sales turnover has soared over time. The multiplied income has not only made her business financially healthier but has also become an engine of prosperity for her family, enabling her two children to open businesses in Surabaya. On a separate occasion, BRI Sumenep Branch Office Manager Ali Topan stated that his office continues to strengthen its role as an extension of the government in driving the grassroots economy through the distribution of KUR. As of May 2026, BRI Sumenep Branch Office has disbursed KUR totalling Rp691 billion to 22,000 debtors. The majority of the distribution is dominated by KUR for the production, trade, and agriculture sectors, amounting to Rp587 billion or 85 percent of the total. With adequate financing and easier access to capital through KUR, business actors in the Sumenep region have greater opportunities to increase their business capacity, create jobs, and strengthen regional economic competitiveness. “BRI’s support is not limited to fund distribution but also includes empowerment, business mentoring, and financial education so that debtors can manage their businesses sustainably and responsibly. This is in line with BRI’s vision to become a trusted partner in empowering the grassroots economy, especially in regions with superior potential,” he concluded.