Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital role in driving Indonesia’s national economy. With tens of millions of enterprises nationwide, MSMEs are able to absorb a significant portion of the workforce and contribute substantially to the country’s GDP.
In commemoration of National MSME Day, celebrated annually on 12 August, PT Paiton Energy takes part in empowering and supporting local MSMEs, particularly in Probolinggo Regency, East Java.
Two of PT Paiton Energy’s fostered MSMEs that exemplify the important role of MSMEs in Indonesia’s economy are DUKKELOR from Pondok Kelor Village and the Probolinggo Mushroom Center from Sumberkedawung Village. Both showcase how local entrepreneurs can create distinctive products by leveraging village potential and community-based entrepreneurship.
DUKKELOR: Harnessing Herbal Potential from Pondok Kelor Village
DUKKELOR is an MSME brand initiated by Esti Alfianing Tyas, A.Md.Keb, since her appointment as Chairperson of the Pondok Kelor Village Family Welfare Movement (TP PKK) in May 2022.
The name “DUKKELOR” is derived from the village name, reflecting a strong local identity. Esti has also been a driving force in empowering women within the community.
DUKKELOR’s flagship products include pelka’ turmeric tamarind beverages and moringa leaf sticks. Raw materials are sourced from plants cultivated by elderly residents and women in the village—turmeric grown in home gardens and moringa trees, a distinctive plant of the village.
Production is still carried out on a small scale, using home-industry methods.
While DUKKELOR’s market reach is currently limited to Probolinggo Regency, community interest in natural herbal products remains high. Esti and her team aspire to expand the market in the future so that Pondok Kelor’s products can gain wider recognition.
DUKKELOR stands as a tangible example of how Indonesian MSMEs can create economic opportunities rooted in local wisdom, while also strengthening their contribution to the national economy.
Probolinggo Mushroom Center: Quality Oyster Mushroom Cultivation
Another equally inspiring MSME is the Probolinggo Mushroom Center, managed by Mohammad Ansori since 4 April 2014. The business focuses on cultivating fresh white oyster mushrooms, with an emphasis on hygiene and production efficiency.
The cultivation process begins with mixing planting media materials such as sawdust, rice bran, lime, and mushroom seeds. After sterilization and seeding, the planting media are transferred to an incubation room for approximately 40 days. Once the mushrooms reach optimal growth, daily harvesting, sorting, and packaging are carried out to meet market demands.
The market for these oyster mushrooms remains centered in Probolinggo, including traditional markets, modern markets, and mushroom-based culinary businesses.
Although processed mushroom products are currently on hold due to high demand for fresh mushrooms, the potential for derivative products remains promising.
The Probolinggo Mushroom Center is proof that Indonesian MSMEs have strong potential in the modern agricultural sector. With proper management and support from various stakeholders, such enterprises can bolster food security while providing sustainable income for local communities.
Other PT Paiton Energy-Supported MSMEs
In addition to DUKKELOR and the Probolinggo Mushroom Center, PT Paiton Energy also supports Gazal Makmur, a producer of Gazal Makmur cassava chips. This local food product is not only delicious but also healthy, illustrating how Indonesian MSMEs can grow by combining local wisdom with appropriate support.
PT Paiton Energy also promotes access to clean water and local economic empowerment through its CSR innovation, bottled drinking water. This program is designed to support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) No. 6 and 8—clean water access and inclusive local economic growth.
PT Paiton Energy’s Role in Empowering Local MSMEs
As a company committed to the socio-economic development of communities around its operational areas, PT Paiton Energy actively supports local MSMEs through CSR initiatives and skills training. These efforts aim to ensure that small business owners not only survive but grow sustainably.
Through the assistance provided, both DUKKELOR and the Probolinggo Mushroom Center have received support not only in production but also in business management, digital marketing, and product branding. These initiatives align with the government’s broader goal of strengthening MSMEs as a main pillar of Indonesia’s economy.
Indonesian MSMEs: Pillars of Self-Reliance and Prosperity
The commemoration of National MSME Day is not merely ceremonial; it is a moment to recognize the dedication of small business owners in keeping the economy moving. In various situations—including during the pandemic—MSMEs have been the backbone of the people’s economy due to their flexibility and adaptability.
The role of MSMEs in Indonesia’s economy cannot be underestimated. They absorb more than 90% of the workforce in the informal sector and contribute over 60% to the national GDP. More importantly, MSMEs provide pathways for communities to achieve economic independence and local empowerment.
The success stories of DUKKELOR and the Probolinggo Mushroom Center reflect the resilience, creativity, and competitiveness of Indonesian MSMEs. With support from companies like PT Paiton Energy, more village-based MSMEs can level up and contribute more significantly to national economic development.
Indonesian MSMEs hold a strategic role in strengthening the national economy, particularly in job creation, poverty reduction, and rural economic development. Products like DUKKELOR and those from the Probolinggo Mushroom Center prove that with commitment, hard work, and proper assistance, small entrepreneurs can thrive and make a real difference in society.
This National MSME Day, let us continue to advance the role of MSMEs in Indonesia’s economy—because the nation’s economic future rests upon the strength of its people’s economy.
