Wirausaha Muda Sukses Membangun Desa Lewat Produk Olahan Pisang Banana Chips

Summary

Nurul Ihsani, CEO of PT Sane Rasa Pangan Indonesia, shares her journey of founding a banana chip business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Driven by the local surplus of bananas and the need for employment in her community, she launched the brand 'By Nana' in December 2020. The company focuses on agricultural processing, with products like banana chips in various flavors. She emphasizes the importance of digital marketing, expanding into retail, and building a sustainable agricultural business. Nurul also highlights her role as an ambassador, encouraging young people to engage in agriculture and entrepreneurship.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Nurul Ihsani is the CEO of PT Sane Rasa Pangan Indonesia, a company focused on agricultural processing, specifically banana chips under the brand 'By Nana.'
• 🍌 The business started in December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when Nurul noticed the potential of unused bananas in her hometown, Cianjur.
• 👩‍🌾 The company aims to support the local community by providing jobs, especially to women who were struggling to find work during the pandemic.
• 🍫 By Nana offers five banana chip flavors: chocolate, milk, green tea, strawberry, and seblak.
• 🌍 PT Sane Rasa Pangan Indonesia is expanding its agricultural activities with intercropping systems, including crops like pumpkins and papayas.
• 🚀 The company is currently growing and aims to expand internationally, with a focus on entering retail and exporting their products.
• 📦 The production process for banana chips involves peeling, soaking in water to remove sap, slicing, frying, seasoning, and ensuring the chips are cool before packaging to prevent spoilage.
• 🤝 Nurul actively participates in agricultural training and programs like Young Ambassador, which helps her gain knowledge, expand her network, and explore export opportunities.
• 🏆 By Nana has been recognized as one of the top two UMKM (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) in Cianjur, gaining entry into local Alfamart stores.
• 🌾 Nurul encourages young people not to shy away from agriculture, highlighting its significant potential as a sustainable and essential industry for the future.

Q & A

What motivated Nurul Ihsani to start the banana chips business?

Nurul Ihsani was motivated by the abundance of bananas in her hometown, Cianjur, that were going to waste due to decreased market demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she wanted to help local women who were struggling to find employment.

What challenges did Nurul face when starting her business?

Nurul faced the challenge of excess bananas that were going to waste and the lack of employment opportunities for women in her community. She also had to find a way to process these bananas effectively to create a viable product.

What are the different flavors available for the banana chips brand 'By Nana'?

The banana chips brand 'By Nana' offers five flavors: chocolate, milk, green tea, strawberry, and seblak.

How does Nurul source the raw materials for her banana chips?

Nurul sources the bananas from her own farm, which grows both tanduk and kapas varieties. The farm also produces other crops like pumpkins and papayas through intercropping.

What were some of the business activities that Nurul participated in as part of the Kementan Ambassador program?

As a Kementan Ambassador, Nurul participated in various activities, including digital marketing training, agricultural workshops, and export incubation programs. She also gained valuable networking opportunities with experts and other entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector.

What is Nurul's vision for the future of her business?

Nurul's vision is to expand her business internationally. She hopes to begin exporting her products and has already taken steps by sending samples to Malaysia.

How does Nurul ensure the quality of her banana chips during production?

Nurul ensures the quality of her banana chips by carefully managing the processing steps. This includes soaking the bananas in water to remove sap, slicing and frying them immediately to prevent sticking, and ensuring the chips are cool before packaging to avoid spoilage.

Why did Nurul choose to focus on online sales for her banana chips?

Nurul focused on online sales because she learned a lot about online business during the early stages of her company, especially during the pandemic when online platforms became essential for reaching customers.

What advice does Nurul give to young entrepreneurs and farmers?

Nurul advises young entrepreneurs not to be discouraged by competition and to keep pursuing their goals. She emphasizes that while businesses can be copied, success and opportunities are unique to each individual.

What role does Nurul believe agriculture will play in the future of Indonesia?

Nurul believes that agriculture will remain a crucial sector for Indonesia's future, providing food security and economic opportunities. She encourages young people to take pride in farming and recognize its importance.