Fibre industry in Bogura has seen a new turn as Banana tree bark is being used in the district to make durable fibre. Due to huge demand, scope of exporting banana fibre is growing significantly. This sector has also created a chance to make new workforce in the district.
According to Bogura District Agriculture Extension, banana fibre industry in Bogura has become operational for quite a time. This district is the first in northern region to establish such an industry. Usually bark of banana tree is used to make fibres. The residue is then used for making vermicompost. Thus, whole part of leftover banana tree can be recycled into new products. A huge job sector has been created around this innovation.
More than 5, 000 farmers in Shibganj upazila of Bogura cultivate banana in 500 hectres of land. After harvesting the fruits, the trees were left to rot which created bad odor and pollution in the area. Entrepreneur Bokul Hossain from Shibganj started to collect the leftover trees to use these for fibre production. Now it has become a reliable industry for foreign traders to import fibres from Bangladehs
Bokul Hossain with the financial aid from PKSF has established Bokul Fibres and Vremipost Plant. Many distressed people got job in the plant. He along with his family members runs the plant.
Workers of the plant said that 400 grams of fibres can be extracted from one tree. The fibre is sold Tk 140 per kilogram. As the production cost doesn’t exceed Tk 90 in per kilo, plant owners are eyeing for huge profit margin. Meanwhile, the leftover of banana trees can be turned into compost in 21 days. 40 kilo of fertilizers can be made from 60 kilos of waste products.
PKSF officials said that handicrafts and clothes are being made from the banana tree fibres. These products can be exported in abroad if mass production is achieved.
Two industrial machines are being used in Shibganj upazila for thread production. Each machine is operated by three workers. Fibres extracted from the machines are being washed in water and then these are being dried up. Threads from the fibres then produced and then used for handicraft production.
Some organizations in Dhaka using these threads to make high grade handicrafts to meet the domestic and foreign demands.
Bokul Hossain said, “Farmers usually let the banana trees to rot after harvest. But if the trees are used to make fibres and compost fertilizers, a lot of environmental pollution can be reduced.”
Shibganj Word 2 councilor Abul Kalam Azad upon asking, said, “This news technology has reduced a lot of pollution. Works are also being created in the area.”
PKSF Director Dr Fazle Sadek Ahmed said that the organic handicraft industry has a strong market in foreign country. This fibre industry is just the beginning. If authorities focus on the industry, a huge export sector can be created. Banks should also come forward to invest in the sector.
