Utilization of Coconut Fiber as a Poor Households Empowerment Base (A Case in Bongomeme District of Gorontalo Regency, Indonesia)

Poor households have not utilized coconut fiber that is very potential to improve their welfare. This study analyzed the root causes of poor households not yet utilizing the potential of coconut fiber craft as a source of livelihood. The potential of crafts that can be developed from coconut fiber and the strategy of building institutional, commercial business groups of poor households are based on the manufacture of coconut fiber crafts to be competitive and sustainable. The researchers collected data through observation, in-depth interviews, focused group discussion, and literature review. The results show that lack of knowledge is at the root of the leading cause of poor households not utilizing coconut fiber as their livelihood. The other causes are lack of skills, low education, weak access to information, lack of collective awareness, and a false understanding that coconut fiber handicraft products are not sold in the market. Even though the facts show that if processed into handicraft products, coconut fiber can be used by poor households to improve their welfare so that they can be economically empowered. Various strategies can be carried out to build the institutional economic business groups of poor households based on the manufacture of coconut fiber crafts, namely critical awareness, strengthening the capacity of poor households, both through skills training, on the job training, and in-service training. Besides, comparative studies of entrepreneurship can also be carried out, opening up access to information, opening access to micro-business financing, and building networks of poor households to the outside world.