Income from weaving water hyacinth

Using raw materials such as water hyacinth and sedge, many women create exquisite handicrafts, contributing to improved income, stable lives, and helping them escape poverty.

The craft of weaving water hyacinth is chosen by many women in Vinh Thanh hamlet, Vinh Tuy commune, as a family livelihood. Photo: THUY TIEN

Water hyacinth is an aquatic plant with a soft stem, oval leaves, and pale purple flowers. It is easily bent and becomes pliable when dried. Because of these qualities, water hyacinth is chosen as a raw material for weaving. These products are made with great skill and beauty, possessing high aesthetic and practical value.

The traditional craft of weaving water hyacinth has a long history in many provinces of the Mekong Delta, including An Giang , but it has only developed strongly in recent years due to the increasing demand for water hyacinth products. In An Giang, the craft is concentrated in the communes of Vinh Phong, Vinh Tuy, Vinh Hoa Hung, Long Thanh, etc. With the skillful hands of the women, products made from water hyacinth are created with beautiful designs.

According to Ms. Cao Thi Tien, a resident of Vinh Tuy commune, weaving water hyacinth is suitable for the living and working conditions of many rural families, without being constrained by time. Not only women, but many men also take advantage of their free time to help their wives weave water hyacinth to earn extra income. Many elderly people who no longer have the health to do strenuous work also weave water hyacinth, helping to make their lives less difficult.

Heading towards Vinh Phong commune, one easily sees water hyacinths and sedges being cut and dried along the roadsides. Under the golden sunlight, the water hyacinths gradually turn a light brown, drying out but still retaining their flexibility. Not far away, at the Vinh Thanh hamlet's water hyacinth handicraft cooperative, many women sit together, their hands nimbly weaving. Some spin the yarn, others make the frames, and still others weave the products... Each rhythmic, meticulous movement demonstrates the skill and experience accumulated over many years.

The Vĩnh Thạnh hamlet's handicraft water hyacinth weaving cooperative signed an agreement with a company and was provided with weaving frames. The cooperative also procures water hyacinth raw materials and then distributes them to those who process them. After the weaving is complete, the cooperative collects the finished products. Many women who cut and dry water hyacinth themselves as raw materials earn additional income besides their wages. Thanks to this, some families have a decent income from water hyacinth. “Before, my family only farmed, and when the season ended, there was no work, and the income was unstable. Since joining the handicraft water hyacinth weaving cooperative, I can earn 100,000 dong a day. Although it's not much, it's stable and enough to cover my family's living expenses,” shared Ms. Nguyen Thi Be, a resident of Vĩnh Thạnh hamlet, Vĩnh Phong commune.

Recognizing that weaving bamboo baskets could provide employment during leisure time and a stable income, many women in Vinh Phong commune boldly participated in the craft training course. After mastering the skills, they took on weaving work for the local cooperative. On average, each participant in the model earns about 3 million VND per month. "Being older and not having the health to do heavy work, thanks to participating in the weaving work, I have extra money each month to support my family," said Ms. Nguyen Thi Hang, a resident of Vinh Phong commune.

In the past, many women in rural areas faced considerable hardship. The majority worked in agriculture or seasonal labor with unstable incomes. During periods of agricultural inactivity, when stable employment was unavailable, life became even more difficult. The craft of weaving water hyacinth and other similar materials provided a livelihood. The work didn't require significant capital, could be done at home, and was suitable for women.

THUY THAN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/thu-nhap-tu-dan-luc-binh-a482013.html