BOGURA, Oct 20: A good number of people in the district are expecting to make over Tk 0.5 million by making bamboo products this season.
Sources said after transplanting T-Aman paddy in the field most of the farmers make different products from bamboo and earn some extra money.
Moreover, some bamboo-made items are also used during crop harvest.
Basket of different sizes and 'kula', 'chalun' and 'korpa' are necessary for processing paddy after harvesting.
A basket is selling at Tk 200 to Tk 400 according to the sizes, kula at Tk 30 to Tk 50, chaluni at Tk 30 to Tk 50 against and korpa at Tk 200 to Tk 250 in the retail market.
"I can make three to four baskets daily. It costs me around Tk 530 to Tk 600," said Anwar Hossain under Shibganj upazila, adding, "I make net profit Tk 2,800 to Tk 3000 per week."
Sources said more than 300 grassroots families across the district are living their lives by making bamboo items.
Traders from the different districts visit the area regularly to purchase the products at a wholesale rate.
A good number of artisans said they have been suffering from acute fund crisis.
They further said if they get easy-term loan facilities, they would be able to expand the profession and earn more.
Meanwhile, our Tangail correspondent adds: Demand for bamboo basket has been increasing in the district in recent times.
Traders of the area said different type of bamboo baskets and crafts are available in the local markets carrying newly-harvested fruits, crops and vegetable.
Both the groups of bamboo basket makers and vendors said it is suitable for transporting newly-harvested fruits, crops and vegetable than any other carrier.
Small vegetables and fruit vendors are used bamboo baskets to display their goods at their shops.
Some vegetables and fruits shopper said there is no any alternative to use it for keeping the product fresh. These baskets are environment-friendly, they added.
Taher Ali of Park Maydan Bazaar road said sells different sizes and shapes of bamboo baskets.
His average monthly income is between Tk 20,000 to Tk 30,000, he added.
He said he collects those items from the villagers. Villagers make those to make some extra income.
A retired social welfare officer said about 6,000 families under 12 upazilas are involved in making bamboo baskets.
Traders from different districts across the country collect bamboo baskets of different sizes and shapes from villages of Tangail.
Officials from different government and non-government organisations said if the poor villagers can bring under training facilities high quantity bamboo products could be produced.
Bamboo craft artisans in Bogura, Tangail passing busy time
Our Correspondent | Published: October 20, 2018 21:21:38 | Updated: October 22, 2018 10:02:25
A bamboo craft artisan making different products at his homestead in Shibganj upazila of Bogura on Saturday — FE Photo
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