Pelatihan Pengemasan Gula Aren Kristal Sachet Kecil untuk Efisiensi Produk yang Higienis di UKM SIRIN, Kec. Salawu, Kab. Tasikmalaya

Abstract

A community service activity was conducted to train in packaging crystalline palm sugar into small sachets to ensure hygienic and efficient production at the UKM SIRIN in Salawu District, Tasikmalaya Regency. The activity involved 10 members of the SIRIN UKM group in Salawu Village. The training took place from August 15 to August 16, 2026, utilizing a combination of instruction, hands-on practice, and mentoring. The instructional phase covered the procedures for packaging crystalline palm sugar using an automatic packaging machine, while the practical phase involved hands-on operation of the equipment. Technical mentoring was provided by assigning student mentors to monitor the partner's activities from August 20 to September 2, 2026. Questionnaire results indicated a very high level of participant interest, particularly regarding the use of the automatic packaging machine (score: 3.62), the activity's potential impact on economic well-being (score: 3.60), skill acquisition (score: 3.58), the encouragement of follow-up actions, and the provision of solutions to partner challenges. Results showed that some participants were able to operate the packaging machine perfectly on their own; however, periodic mentoring is required for those who have not yet mastered the equipment. Technical challenges encountered during the activity included: clumping and clogging in the filling machine's hopper; difficulty in maintaining consistent weight across small sachets; residual sugar powder adhering to plastic fold areas, which interfered with the heat-sealing process and caused leaks or weak seals; and friction between fine granules and the machine walls generating static electricity, causing sugar powder to scatter and soil the machine area.