Money does grow on tree trunks

By Singgir Kartana

YOGYAKARTA (JP): A banana plant's stem is garbage for most farmers. In their eyes it has no economic value. Banana trees are grown for their fruit; the trunk is usually discarded.

For Maryanto, 53, however, the banana stem is a gold mine. Thanks to the banana tree, this father of five from Jomboran village, Yogyakarta, can provide for his family and employee fellow villagers.

For more than seven years, Maryanto has processed banana tree stems as raw material for various handicraft products. He has succeeded in producing unique and exclusive articles: bags, carpets, prayer rugs, fruit baskets and hats of various design and sizes.

Maryanto first acquired the idea in early 1992, confident the handicraft business would be a winner. "I am convinced that this kind of business has bright prospects. The products have export potential and the material is cheap and easy to obtain."

In the beginning, Maryanto only filled orders for banana tree stems from acquaintances, unaware of the usefulness of the trunks. Thanks to his enthusiasm, perseverance and his desire to learn from other people's experiences, he eventually discovered a new application for their use.

From banana tree stems, Maryanto creates an astounding variety of articles: fruit baskets, (flower) pot baskets, tissue paper boxes, bags, ashtrays, picture frames, jewelry boxes, hats, rimless caps, curtain accessories, folders, book covers and carpets.

Maryanto also exploits the use of other vegetable matter. From enceng gondok (water hyacinths) Maryanto makes carpets, prayer rugs in various sizes, place-mats, bags and hats. Corn ears, tapas (coconut skin fiber) and coconut leaf stems are turned into flower decorations, picture frames, candle holders, hairpins and tissue paper boxes.

Prices vary according to the product's size, model and raw material. "The hairpin is cheapest at Rp 1,000. The most expensive are carpets measuring 7.5 square meters at Rp 240,000 each," said Pipit, one of Maryanto's daughters in charge of marketing.

Although the raw material is abundant, Maryanto does not harvest it freely. Local farmers sell him the material. He pays Rp 400 for a banana tree stem 1.5 meters long and 20 centimeters in diameter. Bigger trunks sell for Rp 500 a piece. Dry enceng gondok are Rp 2,500 per kilogram. "I choose trunks of bananas that have seeds, because their fibers are smoother and stronger than those of other banana trees," Maryanto said.

A banana tree trunk is dried for two days. It is then soaked in water for 30 minutes to reduce the likelihood of it snapping. It is dried again and flattened by a roller made of two iron cylinders 30 cm long with an 8 cm diameter. A water hyacinth stem is flattened in it's dry state before being soaked for three hours in a solution comprising 1,500 liters of water to 1 liter of formalin. Incorrect solution proportions damage the raw material.

After this process, the raw material is ready for the production of handicraft souvenirs. Varnish is finally applied to the articles for a shiny finish and to help the piece withstand the elements.

Both domestic and foreign buyers are attracted to the goods. The marketing takes place through agents who export the products and sell them to tourists and hotels. Maryanto's output is 500 to 600 products per month, with a monthly turnover of more than Rp 15 million.

The products are marketed in Jakarta, Bandung, Palembang, Bali and Yogyakarta. Export destinations are the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, France, the Netherlands, the U.S., the Caribbeans and Latin America.

"There is a huge demand for this type of handicraft in my country, especially fruit baskets and carpets," said Jaiko Gooskens of the Caribbeans on a visit to Maryanto's house. "I have taken some samples of new designs to be marketed. There is one problem though: the difference in climate which affects the lifetime of these souvenirs."

Although the product market is already extensive, Maryanto is tireless in his efforts to attract new buyers. He has launched many promotion campaigns, participating in manufacturing exhibitions in cities around the country.

Maryanto employs 20 workers: four men seek supplies of raw material and 16 women are involved in production. "I have recruited many women workers because the work requires accuracy and patience," said Maryanto. Most workers live in the vicinity. Employees are not shackled in inescapable contracts, because they are farmers and have seasonal obligations.

The work is performed in the employees' homes with work paid for at a set rate per unit. Workers earn between Rp 4,000 and 11,000 a day. Asih, 32, who has worked for Maryanto for nearly three years, says she is able to plait 15 meters of enceng gondok per day at the rate of Rp 750 per meter. "I am happy with my work. It is better than going to a factory far from home," said the mother of two.

Many industries have closed their doors during the current economic crisis, but Maryanto's endures. Indeed, a slight increase in handicraft exports has occurred. However, because of the protracted crisis, workers' wages must be increased. "With the government's decision to increase minimum wages, we cannot maintain the old standard," Maryanto said.

Maryanto is grateful that his business prospers, despite the economic decline. He is thankful to be in a position to make a community contribution in the form of work opportunities for locals.