INALUM dan Rumah BUMN Samosir Hadirkan Produk Kreatif Bahan Baku Eceng Gondok dari Sumatera Utara

Samosir, 14 Juni 2024 - PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum or INALUM collaborates with Rumah BUMN Samosir to present creative MSME products made from water hyacinth. This program has succeeded in empowering community groups from the Housewife segment so that they can improve their family's economy. 

INALUM Corporate Secretary Mahyaruddin Ende said that the MSME product, the raw material for water hyacinth, was a means of creativity for the local community which was successfully monetized so that it could provide greater benefits. He hopes that he can continue to be a collaborative partner of MSME players so that they can move up in class and be more competitive in the modern market. 

"This creative product from Water Hyacinth must be more innovative and competitive in today's modern market. We at INALUM are committed to being partners with the Indonesian government in creating MSMEs to the next class with creative programs. We also hope that community groups are involved in the MSME program "This water hyacinth can get more sustainable benefits," said Mahyaruddin.

Water hyacinth is a water plant which is often found in fresh waters such as in the Lake Toba area. These plants are usually seen floating on the water and blocking sunlight from entering the water. The water hyacinth growth process is so fast that it destroys the cleanliness around the Lake Toba area.

MSME actors named Sumondang Tabita Nainggolan and Murni Asima Sitanggang, who are MSMEs under the guidance of Rumah BUMN Inalum Samosir, made an idea from this plant, where previously water hyacinth from Lake Toba had been offered by coffee farmers to get fertilizer from water hyacinth, but it was not implemented because lack of tools and minimal education in making fertilizer. Therefore, these MSMEs turned it into a creative economy and the water hyacinth hotel slipper product emerged, considering that hotel occupancy rates have increased since the beginning of 2023. And as time went by, a derivative of this product emerged, namely the water hyacinth book cover. With a strong vision, namely empowering housewives who don't work and where housewives are able to help support the family economy.

The process of making water hyacinth sandals is a little more complicated than making ordinary sandals, starting from selecting water hyacinth stems that are still good, and drying them for 7-8 days, where the process is until they are completely dry, marked by a ripe brown color, then smooth them using smoothing machines and  manual weaving to form the mats. After the process is complete, go to the pattern forming stage and finally the finishing stage, namely sewing the pattern using a sewing machine. 

Marketing is carried out to market this product through social media platforms, namely Instagram and the marketplace, namely Tiktok shop. Apart from marketing online, MSMEs also often take part in exhibitions held around Samosir district. The price of these water hyacinth sandals starts from IDR 6,000/pcs up to IDR 10,000/pcs while the book cover is priced at IDR 35,000/pcs.