Potential Development of Water Hyacinth to be New Trend Product for sustainable Increasing of Community Economic and Environmental Conservation

Abstract

This article aims to study and develop community prototype products made from natural materials. Design and development of product prototypes from water hyacinth materials with natural materials was the guideline for product development according to Community Product Standards (CMU). Based on the basis of participation and evaluation of opinions on product designs and developments with mixed research methods (Mixing methods). Data were collected from key informants from the purposive selection of Javanese liver vegetable processors and basketry handicraft groups, experts in product design, and samples from general consumer groups. obtained by accidental selection with tools such as interviews, questionnaires, and evaluation forms of product characteristics and tools designed and developed. The design process includes the original for the production of a model, and product prototypes. The results showed that

1.         Water Hyacinth Processing Group, Lum Lam Chee Subdistrict, Ban Khwao District Chaiyaphum Province Mainly uses raw materials in the community  to produce products by dividing the problems encountered in terms of production, it was found that during the rainy season, there was a flood problem. Raw materials have problems and cannot be used to produce products. Because water hyacinth fibers grow because of moisture. The problem is because the producers are the elderly group who are busy working in agriculture and raising their children. On the production side, the group has no plans to expand labor or production capacity. Because most of them are elderly people. Therefore, there was a discontinuity and a shortage of labor in production during the agricultural period. In terms of product development, it was found that there was a lack of product development and the product was still original. There is continuous development on their own. and according to customer feedback. In terms of marketing, the main focus is on the provincial market. There is no marketing promotion and there are quite a lot of competitors for similar products. There is still a lack of promotion and information in the development of new products continuously.2.     Product design, development, and evaluation are the highest desired for all products. Most of the samples had a desire to buy products in the form of furniture. (Furniture type) the most, followed by vases. The factor that affects the prototype development model is the strength of the product in use. Followed by the pattern of choosing composite materials that are suitable for use, respectively.3.     Design and development of prototype products from water hyacinth and natural materials in the form of furniture type, there was an evaluation of the satisfaction of the product found that Products designed and developed Buying behavior and factors influencing buying were found to be the most average. The selection of composite materials that are suitable for use at the highest level followed by the design aspect, which is a novelty from general products in the market. The aspect is the uniqueness of the work. and beautiful patterns, respectively.