BANTUL, KRJOGJA.com – The overseas demand for batik originally from Bantul tends to have batik products that are environmentally friendly natural colors. However, there are still many batik artisans in Bantul who are fonder of using synthetic colors for the reason of the material is easy to get and the color is more striking.

Therefore, it is necessary to educate the people about the negative effects of synthetic color use, along with the provision of sustainable natural color. Multidisciplinary lecturers from UPN 'Veteran' Yogyakarta conduct a program of dedication to the community, with the aim of encouraging the continuity of supply of natural color raw materials at the upstream level.

The activities that support Dikti through the Science and Technology Program for Desa Mitra (IbDM) are focused on strengthening the integration of upstream-downstream batik color centers in Bantul,  that cover Triharjo Pandak Village, Wukirsari Imogiri Village and Trimulyo Jetis.

The chairman of the Empowerment of Skim IbnM UPN Veteran Yogyakarta, Titik Kusmantini SE said, in RPJMDes, Triharjo Village was proclaimed as an agrotech-based tourist village supported by the business incubation program of natural dye paste producers from indigofera plants.

"The training of farmer groups and batik villages will encourage the independence of raw material supply of natural colors, especially indigo color (blue color) so that the prospect of the village as a center of natural color batik writing will be increasing," said Titik to KRjogja.com, Friday (08/09/2017).

This program expected batik center in Bantul able to produce a product of natural color paste branded Bantul and effective commercialization strategy. Besides being supported by the cooperation of Bappeda and related agencies, the composition of multidisciplinary team of devotees will produce real outcomes of activities.

Ir Darban Haryano MP did the expertise of indigofera cultivation technique and the expert lecturers of Chemical Engineering Department UPN Veteran namely Dr Mahreni and Renung ST MT did the indigo dye extraction activity. (Dev)