Contemporary Handwoven Blended Fiber Innovation from Banana Culture Capital and the Creation of Collaborative Networks among Occupational Groups in Ban Khok Mueang Community, Buriram Province, Thailand

Abstract

Introduction: The Barai Phanpi weaving group in Ban Khok Mueang, Prakhon Chai District, Buriram Province has successfully established the identity of the “So Rak Barai” pattern, which has been widely recognized as an OTOP product. However, the group currently faces structural challenges, with production costs ranging from 230–300 THB (≈7.07–9.20 USD) per meter while the selling price remains at 350 THB (≈10.74 USD) per meter. This narrow profit margin reduces incentives for younger generations to participate in the craft, particularly within an aging society. Meanwhile, the community enterprise producing fried bananas in Ban Khok Mueang generates large quantities of banana sheaths as agricultural waste, which have yet to be utilized for value creation. This situation reflects a lack of resource integration between occupational groups and the absence of textile innovations using blended fibers that could reduce raw material costs and foster tangible circular economic sustainability for the community.

Objectives: This research aimed to: 1) develop a contemporary hand-woven innovation using blended fibers derived from banana sheaths of Kluai Namwa cultivated in volcanic soil, and 2) establish collaborative networks among occupational groups in Ban Khok Mueang community.

Methodology: This study employed a qualitative research design through an area-based participatory process combined with experimental methods, using semi-structured interviews and purposive as well as snowball sampling of 16 participants, including local weavers and experts. The research proceeded in six stages: preliminary study and field entry; fiber development and production processes in collaboration with the community, encompassing upstream activities of fiber selection and extraction, midstream fiber quality improvement, and downstream innovation in fiber blending and yarn spinning; knowledge transfer and co-development of blended banana sheath fibers with the community; community-based. banana fiber development for production; product testing; and the establishment of collaborative networks within the community to foster sustainable development.

Results and Findings: The raw material used for fiber processing was banana sheaths of Kluai Namwa cultivated in the area surrounding Phanom Rung Mountain. The supply chain was integrated by linking the community enterprise producing fried bananas, which provided raw materials, with the weaving group through the establishment of a joint production calendar. Area-based collaboration was fostered through interdisciplinary mechanisms to manage knowledge and agreements under the principle of shared benefits, thereby strengthening the community network structure. Fiber extraction techniques were transferred to the community via hands-on workshops combined with participatory meetings, laying the foundation for sustainable material development. The handwoven blended fiber textile produced from banana sheaths of Kluai Namwa grown in volcanic soil at Phanom Rung, with a fiber ratio of 30% banana fiber to 70% cotton fiber, exhibited distinctive qualities derived from volcanic minerals, resulting in fibers that were exceptionally strong, whitish, and lustrous. Testing according to industrial standards (TIS 121) confirmed high tensile strength, averaging 900 CN, with excellent dimensional stability. The woven fabric demonstrated maximum tensile strength in the weft direction at 545.20 N, nearly twice that of the warp direction. Colorfastness to perspiration under both acidic and alkaline conditions was rated excellent, with no fading or discoloration observed. However, shrinkage in the warp direction was relatively high at 11%, necessitating a pre-shrinking process prior to tailoring. Overall, the product had an average mass per unit area of 166 g/m², making it lightweight, comfortable to wear, and suitable for clothing and lifestyle products emphasizing durability.

Outcome, Impacts and Sustainability: The innovation of handwoven blended fiber textiles from volcanic-soil banana sheaths has generated multidimensional transformations and established mechanisms for community sustainability. 1) Social Dimension: Area-based collaboration between the fried banana processing group and the Barai Phanpi weaving group elevated elderly female weavers into cultural entrepreneurs, increasing household income by an average of 6,000 THB (≈184 USD) per household and preserving the transmission of local wisdom heritage. 2) Technological Dimension: Fiber extraction techniques were transferred to the community, enabling local management and integration with semi-industrial fiber blending systems. Agricultural waste in the form of banana sheaths was transformed into textile fibers, resulting in a new production cost of 380 THB/meter (≈11.67 USD/meter), reducing raw material costs by 50%. 3) Economic Dimension: The product achieved a value increase of 128.57%, with the selling price adjusted to 800 THB/ meter (≈24.56 USD/meter). The break-even point was reached at 119 meters of woven fabric, creating a circular economic ecosystem that distributed benefits to more than 50 vulnerable groups and farmers in the area. Overall, the handwoven blended fiber textiles from Kluai Namwa banana sheaths grown in volcanic soil at Phanom Rung not only added value through identity and storytelling rooted in geological heritage, but also fostered a strong cross-occupational collaboration ecosystem. This contributed to local identity pride and enabled sustainable grassroots economic development in alignment with the BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) model.