Indonesian Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, Teten Masduki, expressed his endorsement for the advancement of hemp fiber as an alternative raw material for the country's textile industry during a visit to CV Ramindo Berkah Persada Sejahtera (Rabersa) factory in Wonosobo, Central Java. Teten highlighted hemp's significant productivity potential, envisioning it as a cornerstone for Indonesia's textile sector. He noted that although the hemp-to-fiber conversion process at CV Rabersa is relatively straightforward, it adheres to industry standards, yielding products comparable in quality to those in the market. Emphasizing the need for modernizing the natural fiber ecosystem, particularly to bolster Indonesia's bid as a global fashion hub, Teten stressed the necessity for uniqueness to compete internationally. To support this initiative, Kemenkop UKM, alongside the Wonosobo Regional Government, aims to establish a joint production house (RPB) for hemp fiber, requiring approximately 5,000 square meters of cooperative-managed space. CEO of CV Rabersa, Wibowo Akhmad, detailed the company's production of semi-finished hemp fiber products since its inception in 1999. The company supplies hemp fiber to two exporting firms, predominantly serving the US market in home décor items. While acknowledging significant international interest in Indonesian hemp fiber, Wibowo outlined challenges such as limited production machinery, capital, and land hindering the fulfillment of demands. Countries like China, South Korea, and Japan express preferences for Indonesian hemp due to its superior quality compared to Vietnamese and Thai products.
However, to meet demand, substantial land preparation is necessary, with a minimum of 200 hectares required for hemp cultivation every 60 days, a far cry from the current 25 hectares available. As the collaboration between Kemenkop UKM and CV Rabersa progresses, efforts aim not only to build industrial capacity but also to educate the public about natural fibers. The envisioned integration of agriculture and natural fiber industries seeks to establish Indonesia as a significant player in the global natural fiber market.
