Optimizing Village Potential through Water Hyacinth Craft Workshops 4 3

Abstract

Water hyacinth is a local resource found in several waterways in Undaan Kidul Village, Kudus Regency, but its utilization has not been optimized and the plant is still largely perceived as a weed. At the same time, the community has limited knowledge and practical skills to process water hyacinth into creative products with added value. This community service activity aimed to increase community knowledge and skills in utilizing water hyacinth as a raw material for creative handicrafts, introduce the concept of local-potential-based creative economy, and encourage the development of follow-up business activities. The activity was conducted through a participatory, practice-based approach. The implementation consisted of five stages: preparation and coordination, socialization, demonstration, direct practice and mentoring, and evaluation and follow-up. The workshop was held on 29 July 2026 at the Undaan Kidul Village Hall and involved 29 participants from Karang Taruna, IPNU, and IPPNU. The activity produced initial craft products and provided participants with direct experience in processing water hyacinth. The achievement was reflected in the fulfillment of knowledge, skill, product, and basic marketing-related outputs. However, financial impacts such as sales, turnover, profit, and increased income could not yet be measured because the activity did not generate sufficient commercial data. Therefore, continued mentoring, product diversification, costing, packaging, digital promotion, and gradual market testing are needed.