Use of natural resources (lontar):

Lontar is a type of palm tree that grows in arid regions. This plant may be found in abundance
in Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara Province. Sap, which is a liquid that is being released from
the stem, is the major product of the lontar that is used by the people. The sap can be drank
straight as a sweet drink, or it can be fermented to form the beverage sopi. If the lontar trees
are well-maintained, sap output can be enhanced. The revenue of the business may also be
boosted by utilizing the by-product created during the manufacturing process. The lontar
sector, in general, has a significant impact on the well-being of all parties concerned, and its
potential may not have been fully realized yet. The strenghts are the following:

 Sap has a unique taste, compared to other sweeteners which is why it is preferred by
many consumers.
 The sap from the lontar tree is environmentally friendly and organically manufactured.
There are no chemicals used, therefore it does not contain any dangerous chemicals,
such as preservatives, colours or other additives, and it creates no garbage that can
affect the environment.
 Sugar levels are comparatively low, which is beneficial for the health.
 There is enough workforce available in the area. Sopi wine is produced by family
members. They are typically located in rural regions, allowing them to take a
considerable amount of labor.
 Raw resources are commonly accessible. Despite the fact that not all communities
operate as wine makers, practically every family maintains the lontar tree. As a result,
raw material in the form of sap is readily available.
There are also some weaknesses that can be observed. Namely, those are:

 Traditional production. Sopi is made with basic technology, particularly in

the filtering processes, resulting in a product that is possibly still full of contaminants.
 The hygiene of the manufacturing equipment has been a problem. The usage of
firewood is expensive, and the smoke pollutes the kitchen and can harm the
environment.
 The availability of resources is dependent on suffers from seasonality. The capacity to
make sopi is contingent on the availability of sap. Lontar trees typically produce sap
for around 7 to 8 months a year, from April to November, hence the quantity produced
is not consistent.
 The workforce is of poor quality. Sopi-making knowledge and abilities are not
acquired via official schooling or training, but are passed down through generations.
In terms of the ecology and long-term use, firewood waste may be utilized to make charcoal
and marketed as a secondary source of money.
https://smujo.id/td/article/view/4381/3583
All in all, that means that the use of natural resources, namely lontar in this case, can be
described as efficient and environmentally friendly, especially in comparison to mass
production in big industries.