Innovative Dye-material Processing in Support of Women Handicraft Small Enterprise
This entry has been selected as a finalist in the
Women | Tools | Technology: Building Opportunities & Economic Power competition.
The use of technology and advanced techniques for the conversion of natural dye materials (plants, bark, etc) to powder or liquid form will ensure: (i) Efficient production processes by the indigenous, women weavers (ii) Improved health and safety standards (iii) Sustainable use of Non-Timber Forest Products and(iv) Products adapted to better meet market demand.
About You
Section 1: About You
First Name
Simi
Last Name
Bhagwandass
Website
Country
Section 2: About Your Organization
Is your initiative connected to an established organization?
Yes
Organization Name
People Resources Conservation Foundation
Organization Website
Organization Phone
+62 561 7079405
Organization Address
Jl. DR. Wahidin Sudiro Husodo Gg. Sepakat 6 Komplek Mitra Utama 6 No 5B Pontianak
Organization Country
Indonesia, KB
Is your organization a
Non‐profit/NGO/citizen sector organization
How long has this organization been operating?
More than 5 years
The information you provide here will be used to fill in any parts of your profile that have been left blank, such as interests, organization information, and website. No contact information will be made public. Please uncheck here if you do not want this to happen..
Your idea
Name Your Project
Innovative Dye-material Processing in Support of Women Handicraft Small Enterprise
Describe Your Idea
The use of technology and advanced techniques for the conversion of natural dye materials (plants, bark, etc) to powder or liquid form will ensure: (i) Efficient production processes by the indigenous, women weavers (ii) Improved health and safety standards (iii) Sustainable use of Non-Timber Forest Products and(iv) Products adapted to better meet market demand.
Country your work focuses on
Indonesia, KB
Innovation
What makes your idea unique?
Throughout Indonesia traditional weaving have been color completed with use of either natural or synthetic dyes. Although textiles incorporating natural dyes fetch a higher price on the market, the color process is timely. This has played a role in the increased use of synthetic dyes as, despite the lower market price of the product, the weaver is able to bring these to market more rapidly. The use of these chemicals, however, is detrimental to the health of the weaver.
When a weaver opts for natural dyes, she must first collect dye sources from the natural surrounding environment and then process each dye material and each color source separately. This is a highly time-consuming process. By using technology to convert the natural dye material to powder or liquid form, the weaver can process batches of the dye to store and use at her convenience. She will also have the ability to store various colors, allowing her to combine these and improve the overall aesthetics of the textile.
Previous technological applications to assist weavers have robbed the process of its traditional characteristics, such as the introduction of automated looms. Innovations in dye material processing maintain the traditional aspects of weaving while benefiting the weaver.
Considering the cultural context, capacity building in technological applications is generally offered to men. Conscious of this, the PRCF will include both sexes in the planning phase of the project, but will focus on the women for its implementation. Women will be empowered to master the use of this dye-processing technology independently.
Do you have a patent for this idea?
Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
Tell us about the social impact of your innovation. Please include both numbers and stories as evidence of this impact
PRCF Indonesia has actively worked with the women weavers of West Kalimantan since its registration in Indonesia in 2000. Prior to this, the PRCF worked in Indonesia as an international non-governmental organization since 1996.
The program in West Kalimantan began as a "Cultural Revitalization" initiative to sustain an interest in the traditional practice of "ikat" weaving. The program has fostered a younger generation by encouraging skills transfer from the older generation to these young women and girls. Through this revitalized interest in "ikat" weaving, income generating activities through the sale of these traditional textiles have become available. With the assistance of three non-governmental organizations in West Kalimantan, including the PRCF, the weavers formed a cooperative named the Jasa Menenun Mandiri (JMM). This translates from Bahasa Indonesian to "Weavers Go Independent". The JMM Cooperative, in close collaboration with its local non-government partners, promotes the use of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), income generation activities, and continuous growth and empowerment to its 400 women weaver members.
PRCF Indonesia continuously supports the weavers to play an active role in the protection of their natural surrounding environment. The rich biodiversity of West Borneo is in need to local communities actively involved in its conservation. Through the creation of "tembawangs" or forest gardens, the weavers have been able to cultivate natural dye materials through the sustainable harvesting of these natural resources. This promoted use of Non-Timber Forest Products contributes in part to providing economic alternatives to, and the mitigating of the devastating results of, logging.
The introduction of natural, dye-material processing technology will first be introduced to two villages groups: Ensaid Panjang and Umin. These will serve as representatives for both the east and west sides of the Sintang District. Both villages contain a traditional longhouse, which provides a communal area for capacity-building activities for managing the use of the new technology. Once this pilot phase has been successfully completed, lessons learned will be documented and applied to the expansion of these for training sessions to include other villages.
Through dye-processing technology, the PRCF has identified a new solution to assist these women in both their cultural, livelihood and conservation efforts in West Kalimantan.
Problem: Describe the primary problem(s) that your innovation is addressing
Although the weavers of West Kalimantan have made many advancements towards improving their economic livelihoods, they must continuously improve their production and business practices to remain competitive in the market. Striving to adapt their products to meet market demand is imperative to the success of their efforts. The aesthetic appeal of traditional textiles is its greatest strength to reach a market of tourists. Color composition and patterns, in that order, greatly influence purchase decisions of this target market. Due to the lengthy process involved in color finishing textiles with natural dyes, the weavers have opted to use synthetic dyes. This presents two main disadvantages: (i)textiles color finished with synthetic dyes fetch a lower price on the market (ii) repeated use of synthetic dye materials (chemicals)are hazardous to their health. The weavers are in need of solutions to: (i) improve their natural dye methods to broaden the variety of colors available for their craft (ii) expedite the conversion of natural resources to usable dyes and (iii) increase the yield of dye-stuffs from these natural resources. By offering various colors in their product offering the weavers will better appeal to their target market. Furthermore, by using natural dye resources more efficiently and effectively, they will better contribute to their conservation efforts.
Actions: Describe the steps that you are taking to make your innovation a success. What might prevent that success?
The PRCF has collaborated with the Tanjungpura University in Pontianak, West Kalimantan to work with young experts in the field of technology related to natural resources. These bright young minds and their experienced professors will ensure effective training sessions and continuous support is given to the target beneficiaries. They will also be best suited to keep abreast with technological advancements in the industry, to apply to future capacity-building workshops with the weavers.
The program will begin with two pilot groups (Ensaid Panjang and Umin villages) in order to monitor and evaluate the adoption of this new technology by the target beneficiaries. This pilot phase will be evaluated at the mid-point and at its finalization to record lessons learned and to assist in the preparations for expansion to other villages.
The patriarchal nature of Dayak culture will also be taken into consideration in order to ensure success. Although women will be the focus of all capacity building activities, the men of the villages will be included and kept informed throughout all planning and implementation phases of the program.
Results: Describe the expected results of these actions over the next three years. Please address each year separately, if possible
Year One:
* The pilot group has successfully adopted the dye-processing technology.
* The students of Tanjunpura University, under the direction of their professors, have played a significant role in the adoption of the technology by the weavers.
* A dye repository is established.
* First textiles using natural dyes in powdered form created.
Year Two:
* Lessons learned from the pilot phase of the program are applied to future implementation.
* The weavers of the pilot villages use natural dyes exclusively in their weaving craft.
* Textiles produced by the weavers have heightened aesthetics.
* Four other villages are introduced to the dye-processing technology.
* Local interns are assigned to the program from Tanjungpura University.
Year Three:
* Increase in sales of "ikat" weaving
* Heightened availability of natural dye materials through maximized use, and sustainable harvesting of these resources.
How many people will your project serve annually?
Fewer than 100
What is the average monthly household income in your target community, in US Dollars?
Less than $50
Does your innovation seek to have an impact on public policy?
No
If your innovation seeks to impact public policy, how?
The Cultural Revitalization program has brought about a change in the perceptions of "ikat" weaving and the role it plays in Indonesian culture. Ikat weaving contributes economically as a tourism product, and program planning has involved the Ministry of Education of West Kalimantan as well as the local mayor's office. In providing positive examples of social change to these governmental stakeholders, (such as the implementation of dye-material technology linked to natural resource management and sustainable livelihoods) the PRCF hopes that changes in social and environmental policies will be encouraged.
Sustainability
What stage is your project in?
Idea phase
Does your organization have a board of directors or an advisory board?
Yes
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with NGOs?
Yes
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with businesses?
No
Does your organization have a non monetary partnerships with government?
Yes
Please tell us more about how partnerships could be critical to the success of your innovation
This initiative has been designed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Department of Education of Pontianak, the Tanjungpura University, The People Resources Conservation Foundation Indonesia and the Jasa Menenun Mandiri (JMM) Cooperative.
The first two collaborators will ensure that the science, research and information needed to manage this technology is up-to-date for the weavers. They will also provide a crucial link to other governmental stakeholders for further support of the project.
The Tanjungpura University will provide young, bright interns to assist in the capacity building workshops for the weavers. This continuous support for these students and their professors will facilitate the adoption of the technology by the weavers.
Finally, the JMM Cooperative serves as a resources center and point of sales for the weavers. They will therefore be able to provide information on the level of adoption of the new technology such as (i) color variety of textiles offered for sale (ii) use of natural dyes for color finishing of textiles offered by the weavers (iii) increase in sales.
Independent Weaving Cooperative Services
We would like to learn more about how your initiative is financially supported. Please explain your business plan/revenue model
PRCF Indonesia serves as not-for-profit point of sales for the weavers in Pontianak. 15% of the sales made here will be re-contributed to PRCF programming directly related to the weavers.
PRCF Indonesia and its collaborators,is currently seeking funding assistance at the municipal and provincial government levels, and through the submission of proposal to grant-making institutions.
The Story
What was the defining moment that led you to this innovation?
The defining moment that led to this innovation has come with the recent struggles of the weavers of West Kalimantan related to their craft. The first relates to an analysis of the production costs, which showed that little compensation was awarded for the time that was required to perfect an "ikat" weaving. The market price reached was able to offset materials, but not labor. It was therefore crucial to assist the weavers in expediting their production processes without compromising its traditional value, so that the opportunity cost of weaving did not affect other income generating activities or family duties.
The increased use of synthetic dyes were also a point of concern due to the damaging effects that repeated use of these chemicals could have on the weaver's health.
Tell us about the person—the social innovator—behind this idea.
Fifiyati Hoesni (PRCF Indonesia) and Eva Dolorosa (Tanjungpura University)are the true drivers of this innovation.
Fifiyati has actively volunteered to empower the women weavers of West Kalimantan. She is constantly striving to bring new innovations, networks and information to this marginalized groups of women. Through her efforts, the weavers have been able to reach markets outside of West Kalimantan, and have participated in a Small Women's Enterprise initiative with ASPUK. Her personal talent in design has also led to the creation of home decor and fashion items incorporating the use of "ikat" weaving to reach new market segments.
Professor Eva Dolorosa is a lecturer at the Tanjungpura University. She has extensive academic and professional experience in resource management and seeks new technological ideas to assist in this. She also serves on the board of PRCF Indonesia and is actively involved with the local community.
How did you first hear about Changemakers?
Web Search (e.g., Google or Yahoo)
If through another source, please provide the information
ICRW
Does your project address any of the following barriers to women’s technology access and use?
Women’s time poverty, Social norms.
If you checked any of the boxes above, please explain how.
Women's time poverty is addressed through improving the efficiency of their production of "ikat" weaving. This lessens the opportunity cost of other income generating activities as well as family duties.
As Indonesia is a patriarchal society, the men in the villages will be involved and informed throughout the implementation of the project.
Does your project involve women in one or more of the following stages of the technology lifecycle? Identification of the problem the technology will solve:
Technology design, Market research, Technology introduction, Technology training, Creation and maintenance of market linkages for women's economic outputs, Assessment and evaluation.
If you checked any of the boxes above, please explain how you will ensure women’s involvement in each relevant phase of the technology lifecycle.
The project planners and managers (Eva Dolorosa and Fifiyati Hoesni) and the program assistant (myself) are women.
During the training workshop aimed at the target beneficiaries, these weavers will be guided to be able to train others in their community through a "training trainers" methodology.
If women are a focus of your project, how did this focus evolve?
The project focused on women from its conception..
Which type of women will your project reach directly?
Rural, Low income.
In what ways does your project team/leadership involve women?
It is led by a woman/women from a developing country., The core project team includes women from developing countries..
Has your organization formed any new partnerships in response to this challenge? If so, with what type/s of organization/s?
Government.
Has your project leadership had prior experience with the following?
Working with women, Working with technologies, Working on innovation.
