Design and Development of Products from Water Hyacinth in Bang Len Community, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province

Abstract

             The purposes of this study were to: 1) study hyacinth product models through community participation; 2) design community product prototypes; and 3) evaluate opinions on prototype products. The research methodology used was participatory action research (PAR) with four systems: planning, action, observation, and reflection. These systems were applied to research and development (R&D). The research consisted of three stages: R1D1, R2D2, and R3D3. The research area was Bang Len community, Bang Yai District, Nonthaburi Province. The research activities used were group discussions. The sample selected by using purposive sampling included three groups of key informants who were community members, government agents, and experts on design. The research instruments used were interviewing forms, designing evaluation forms, and opinion questionnaires. The data analysis used content analysis, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. The results were as follows: 1) the appropriated product models for community conditions were flowers made of water hyacinth paper, 2) the community produced water hyacinth paper to create artificial flowers and develop them into bouquets and paper flower wreaths as a product prototype; and 3) the overall evaluation of opinions on prototype products was at the high level of 3.9 (S.D.= 0.55); the value of community handicrafts was at the highest level of 5.00 (S.D.= 0.00), followed by the practical applicability at the highest level. The research findings were new ideas about water hyacinth products, modified by the community's prior expertise to create new products with alternative raw materials.