Seashore pandan crafts training for Kotabaru

Some of South Kalimantan handicrafts. (Antaranews Kalsel/Hasan Z)

"We lift seashore pandan because this commodity has comparative advantages that other regions do not have in South Kalimantan,

Kotabaru, S Kalimantan (Antaranews Kalsel) - The South Kalimantan Industry Agency held a technical training on the design and innovation of seashore pandan crafts for the people of Kotabaru District.

Around 50 participants were taught skills to weave seashore pandan into various handicraft in training from November 1 to 5, 2018.

"We lift seashore pandan because this commodity has comparative advantages that other regions do not have in South Kalimantan," said Head of the Chemical, Textile and Multifarious Industry of South Kalimantan Industry Agency Hasan Talaohu, Tuesday.

The comparative advantage must be transformed into a competitive advantage, so that seashore pandan woven can compete with similar products.

Seashore pandan is a type of shrub that grows on the beach. Every part of this plant can be used, economically valuable, and its thick leaves are good raw materials for woven crafts.

Seashore pandan woven can be formed into various products, from bags, sandals, tissue boxes, and others according to the creativity of craftsmen. This type of craft is said to penetrate foreign markets.

"We want to encourage craft products from Kotabaru to have an equal market, one of which we rely on is the craft of seashore pandan," said Hasan, who is also the Secretary of the South Kalimantan Council for National Handicrafts Indonesia (Dekranasda).

In addition to the availability of abundant raw materials, making seashore pandan crafts is also relatively easy. Before processing, sea pandanus leaves are dried in the sun first. After drying, the thorns are removed and the leaves are shrunk into small strands.

Then the leaves can be given coloring so it is more attractive, and given preservatives to last long.

The Dekranasda Kotabaru Charwoman Fatma Idiana said her party is committed to making seashore pandan woven into a superior handicraft product in the future.

"In 2019 we will hold further training and we hope that craftsmen don't just get here, most importantly their enthusiasm," she said.