Sustaining Traditional Food Microenterprises: A Case Study of Keripik Sagu Imogiri Jaya

Abstract

This study explores the dynamics of traditional food microenterprises through a case study of Keripik Sagu Imogiri Jaya, a women-led initiative in Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The enterprise specialises in producing sago-based snacks using inherited recipes and locally sourced raw materials, representing a unique intersection of cultural preservation, grassroots entrepreneurship, and rural livelihood development. Despite its cultural and economic significance, the business faces persistent challenges such as limited access to technology, irregular raw material supply, lack of certification, and inadequate marketing skills—barriers common among informal microenterprises in rural Southeast Asia. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research draws on field observations and in-depth interviews with stakeholders to examine the enterprise’s operations, community involvement, and adaptation strategies. The findings reveal that strong community participation, particularly among local women, underpins the enterprise’s resilience and capacity for innovation. Community service interventions—ranging from food safety training to packaging and financial literacy—played a catalytic role in enhancing product quality, operational efficiency, and knowledge transfer, especially to younger generations. This paper contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable rural development and women’s economic empowerment by proposing a conceptual framework that integrates cultural capital, gendered labour, and institutional support. The study underscores the need for sustained mentoring, digital literacy, and structural support to enable traditional microenterprises to transition from survival-based models to sustainable, market-ready ventures. The case of Keripik Sagu Imogiri Jaya illustrates how culturally rooted enterprises can evolve into viable models for inclusive, place-based development when supported through participatory and context-sensitive approaches.