Sabahan Women Transform Banana Trunks into Eco-Friendly Products

Turning Agricultural Waste into Sustainable Crafts

In Kota Marudu, Sabah, Hanisa Boumin leads a new eco-friendly project. Hanisa is a Dusun Kimaragang farmer. She turns discarded banana trunks into useful items. She makes baskets, handbags, coasters, and lampshade covers. In the past, farmers left banana trunks on the ground or burned them. Burning the trunks caused pollution. Hanisa learned new ideas from Africa, Indonesia, and India. In 2023, she began using banana fibre to make crafts that cut down on waste.

Crafting Process and Banana Fibre Properties

Hanisa gets 100 to 200 grams of fibre from each trunk. The weight depends on the banana type. She strips the fibres by hand. She uses knives or wire brushes to do this. After stripping, she washes the fibres and dries them for several days. Drying stops fungus from growing. The fibre is light and strong. It does not rust and it breaks down naturally. Scientists say banana fibre is cheap and eco-friendly. It works well in things like textiles and energy from biomass.

Economic Empowerment and Community Impact

Hanisa began her work because her daughter needed help with medicine. She now earns RM600 to RM1,000 each month from her brand "Kogozz." Kogozz means "to tie" in Dusun. She won RM20,000 at Pitch Borneo 2025. This funding helped her grow her work. Hanisa also trains 30 women from six nearby villages. These women include homemakers, farmers, and single mothers. They work at home to make banana fibre products. They sell their items locally. They also receive bulk orders from the government and sometimes sell at bazaars.

Collaborative Learning and Cultural Preservation

Hanisa learns from the Dusun community in Kota Belud. The community is known for tree bark crafts. Their traditional skills give Hanisa new ideas. This learning keeps the craft true to its roots and boosts its market appeal.

Testimonials from the Community

Vida Maijon is a homemaker who worked with Hanisa. She says that making banana fibre crafts helps her family. With higher living costs, her work gives her flexible income. She can work part-time and manage her household at the same time.

The Broader Significance

This work shows a rising global trend. People now turn banana waste into smart, sustainable products. In India, many use banana fibres for biodegradable textiles. In Africa, banana byproducts become sanitary items. By using local resources, Sabahan women like Hanisa build a circular economy. This economy cuts waste, supports communities, and creates sustainable jobs.

Sources:

• The Star, “Sabahan women turn banana trunks into eco-friendly products,” Oct 31, 2025
• Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Multidisciplinary Applied Research And Innovation Journal, 2023 study on banana fibres
• Interviews and field insights from Hanisa Boumin and collaborators in Kota Marudu, Sabah

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