JOYPURHAT, Aug 01: Over 500 blacksmiths in the district are passing busy time at their shops making sharp tools for slaughtering sacrificial animals and preparing their flesh, with the Eid-ul-Azha approaching.
The demand for machetes, choppers, knives and other iron-made tools is on the rise across the country.
The shops are selling mostly new tools, but at the same time preparing the old ones by repairing and sharpening those.
During a recent visit to different areas in the district it was found a butcher knife is selling at Tk 300 to Tk 550 while a regular knife is sold at Tk 30 to Tk 200.
A chopper is sold at Tk 130 to Tk 600 and a machete at Tk 400 to Tk 900.
A good number of blacksmiths said they cannot expand their business due to shortage of fund.
"We do not want to change our profession. If the government introduces easy loan facility, it would be helpful for us", they added.
The district blacksmith organisation president Arup Karmoker said most of the blacksmiths earn handsome money during the Eid-ul-Azha season.
