According to the ministry's Director General for Acceleration of Development of Disadvantaged Regions, Samsul Widodo, the use of natural dyes for traditional fabrics can preserve local wisdom and increase village incomes.
“We sincerely hope that by developing a paste from natural dyes, it can become a raw material for developing traditional fabrics, whether batik, woven fabrics, or other forms,” he said during an online event in Jakarta on Monday.
He then invited local governments, artisan communities, and creative industry players to work together so that natural dyes can become both a symbol and a strength for the rural economy.
It is known that natural dyes are dyes derived from plants, animals, or minerals that have long been used to color fabrics in an environmentally friendly manner.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Indonesian Natural Color Association (Warlami) Myra Widiono stated that the use of natural dyes has several advantages.
These include the potential to open new business sectors, strengthen cultural aspects, be environmentally and health-friendly, and be sustainable because Indonesia has rich natural dye resources.
Previously, Widodo had encouraged villages to fully utilize the various government programs currently flowing into rural areas to boost the local economy and accelerate development.
"The hope is that we can utilize all of them and, in the future, accelerate village development," he said.
He then outlined government programs that villages can maximize in their implementation to accelerate development and boost the economy, including the food security program, energy security, Free Nutritious Meals, and the Red and White Village Cooperative (Kopdes).
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Translator: Tri Meilani Ameliya, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Arie Novarina
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