Pengembangan Produk Gula Semut Sebagai Upaya Meningkatkan Nilai Tambah Produk Lokal Di Desa Ponding-Ponding

Development of Granulated Palm Sugar Products to Enhance the Value-Added of Local Products in Ponding-Ponding Village

Abstract

This Community Service (PKM) initiative aims to empower the community of Ponding-Ponding Village, North Tinangkung District, by developing granulated coconut sugar to enhance the value of local products and boost the community's economic potential. Preliminary observations revealed that while residents already possessed the skills to process coconut sap into traditional molded coconut sugar, production methods remained conventional, and the resulting products sold primarily in molded form commanded relatively low market value. Furthermore, the community faced challenges regarding product diversification, packaging, labeling, and marketing. The program was implemented through several stages: observation and potential identification; outreach and socialization; training; hands-on practice in granulated sugar production; guidance on packaging and labeling; and support for marketing and evaluation. The results demonstrated an improvement in the community's knowledge and skills regarding granulated sugar production, as well as a better understanding of the importance of product quality, packaging, branding, and marketing strategies. Developing granulated sugar offers a diversification alternative that is more practical, easier to package, and holds the potential for a wider market reach. This initiative illustrates that community empowerment based on local potential can serve as a strategy to increase product value, foster business development, and strengthen village economic self-reliance. Sustaining these efforts requires continued support in areas such as improving production quality, securing business legality, refining packaging, implementing digital marketing, and expanding market networks.