Enhancing the Value of Reed Fibers and Cattail Fibers Through Natural Indigo Dyeing Innovation for the Development of Eco-Lifestyle Products to Increase Community Income

Abstract

This study aimed to 1) develop natural indigo dye formulations for reed fibers and cattail fibers, 2) enhance the skills of community innovators, and 3) increase the economic value of the target communities by more than 15 percent. The research employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, engaging local innovators in all stages of the process, including planning, experimenting and developing the indigo dye formulations, observing and recording dyeing results, and jointly reflecting on the outcomes to improve the innovation.

Data were gathered through structured interviews and questionnaires with 64 innovators, complemented by an assessment from a key informant specializing in color and fiber analysis, who evaluated color intensity and colorfastness using the General Colorimeter NR10QC in accordance with the CIELAB standard. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were used to summarize and interpret the outcomes of the innovation development process.

The findings revealed that the newly developed indigo dye formulation, enhanced by the addition of acidic agents, enabled both types of plant fibers to achieve color ranges from dark green to light green. When the dyed fibers were designed and transformed into eco-lifestyle products for commercial distribution, the innovators’ average income increased by 38 percent. Furthermore, their technical skills and innovation capabilities were significantly strengthened through participation in the PAR process.