Amuntai, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - The water hyacinth handicraft in North Hulu Sungai (HSU) District is quite tempting. At least the artisans of Banyu Hirang Village have proved it.
Now the group of water hyacinth craftsmen able to reap a profit of up to Rp30 million per month, because the craft is quite enthused entrepreneurs from various regions in Indonesia.
The owner of water hyacinth handicraft 'Kembang Ilung' Supiaannor in Amuntai, said Wednesday, the profit he gained did not come extemporaneously.
"I started the business since 2005 through various trainings, trade shows, and finally open more intense marketing," said Supian Noor.
Together with his wife Misnawartati, he is now entrusted to give training for artisan groups in other villages through the Purun Weed and Water Hyacinth Cluster Program of Bank Indonesia.
Supian told how he began his business with purun handicraft products, but as the training conducted by the HSU Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises, Industry and Trade Agency (Dikuperindag), he and Banyu Hirang village residents began to do water hyacinth woven.
Supian then formed a Kembang Ilung group, now consists of 20 people, who pioneered the development of handicraft business of water hyacinth, without leaving the purun which is a skill inherited from their parents.
Now water hyacinth handicraft products have spread to Java, although not every month orders flow to their craftsman groups.
Supian expects more citizens to interest in water hyacinth handicraft considering the increasingly wide marketing potential, while raw materials are abundant because almost 90 percent of the area of HSU covered by swamp.
"Our group is ready to help if there is demand from other craftsmen group who want to improve the skill
of making water hyacinth woven," he said.
