InfoSAWIT, LEBAK – Indonesia's dry season is providing an unexpected boost to rural palm-based enterprises, with demand for traditional palm frond blinds, locally known as krey sawit, surging sharply and doubling the weekly revenue of many artisans and collectors in Lebak Regency, Banten.
According to Antara, the spike in demand is being driven by households and businesses seeking affordable natural shading products to protect buildings from intense sunlight during the prolonged dry season.
One collector, Toto, said weekly sales have increased from around Rp30 million to Rp60 million, supported by a doubling in shipment volumes from approximately 1,000 to 2,000 units each week. The blinds are sold through retailers at around Rp30,000 per unit and distributed to customers across Banten and the Greater Jakarta metropolitan area.
Another collector, Timan, reported a similar trend, with weekly turnover rising from about Rp25 million to Rp50 million. His products are regularly supplied to buyers in Depok, Bogor, and Jakarta, highlighting the expanding regional market for palm-derived handicrafts.
The growing demand has also benefited local craftsmen. Rosad, a palm blind artisan from Rangkasbitung Timur Village, now produces around six units per day, earning approximately Rp150,000 daily by selling each blind to collectors for Rp25,000. He believes the seasonal demand has created valuable opportunities to improve productivity while sustaining small-scale rural businesses.
Local authorities view the trend as evidence of the economic potential of palm by-products beyond conventional palm oil production.
Imam Suangsa, Acting Head of the Lebak Cooperative and SME Office, said the regional government continues encouraging communities living near oil palm plantations to develop value-added products from palm fronds and leaf stalks, including blinds and traditional brooms.
He noted that demand for these products remains strong across Banten, Jakarta, and West Java, while the regency is now home to more than 172,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), including many engaged in palm-based handicrafts. According to the local government, the growing industry contributes to higher household incomes, creates employment opportunities, and demonstrates how palm resources can generate sustainable economic value beyond the plantation sector. (T2)
Source: InfoSAWIT
