THE DEVELOPMENT OF RICE STRAW ARTEFACTS THROUGH WORKSHOP IN KLATEN REGENCY OF CENTRAL JAVA

The Rice Postharvest Culture in Indonesia (4)

Abstract

After the Green Revolution program in the 1970s, the farmers in the Klaten area of Central Java were gradually encouraged by the Indonesian government to switch from traditional methods to new methods based on efficiency, quantity, and profitability. The impact of this program resulted 68% of rice straw harvested was burned by farmers as the easiest way to start a new rice planting cycle. To prevent the spread of this situation, the authors of this text attempted to revive the rice postharvest utilisation culture through a workshop in Juwiring 1 Vocational High School. It was proven from the workshop that using 2 major production methods utilised by the traditional Javanese in creating utility and ritual items (bundling and tying), the students could potentially develop the materials into useful items. Through the workshop, the students were taught the important values behind the production process, such as human relations, environmental awareness and appreciation to the artefacts.