Bamboo and cane artisans of Patuakhali’s Kalapara Upazila are now suffering from financial crisis. As a result, hundreds of families involved in this profession are facing various difficulties.
At one time bamboo and cane made items were the daily necessities of life for the rural people and their demand was also skyscraping. The artisans of the area became economically self-sufficient by selling things made of bamboo and cane.
With the passage of time, the use of plastic and wood products has increased and this traditional bamboo and cane industry is getting lost. Those involved in the profession seem to have exacerbated the crisis during the corona period. As a result, life has come to a standstill for them.
Nilganj, Mithaganj, Latachapali, Mahipur and other unions of this upazila used to be busy with these artists since ancient times. At least tens of thousands of family members were involved in the profession. They used to make various kinds of utensils including cane rugs, bamboo cage, macha, mat, gola, sudi, chai, mora, dala, kucha, turki, jhapi, chaluni etc using bamboo and cane.
The bamboo-cane industry, once a tradition, is on the verge of extinction. Although a few families in the upazila have taken up the profession, the industry has lost ground due to lack of government patronage. Many people have changed their profession due to declining production of bamboo and cane as also not getting fair price of their products. Besides, due to the increase in the use of plastic and wood products, many people are saying that they are giving up this profession. Amullya Mistri from Manoharpur village of Mahipur Union is still making a living by holding on to this profession. He has been engaged in this profession for 40 years. He is currently drowning in debt now. He said that it is difficult to make products worth Tk 30,000 from bamboo bought at Tk 20,000. Due to low demand in the market and non-increase of the price, there is not much profit to be made.
Bimal Bepary of Pakhimara village under Nilganj union is involved in this profession since it is the profession of his ancestors. He has been in the profession for over 35 years. He said, “What should I do, I have not learned any other job. I will do this for the rest of my life.
Earlier, large and medium size bamboo could be bought for Tk 50 to 150. Now it sells at Tk 300-350. In one day, 10 chai could be made with a big bamboo which are sold for Tk 600 at Tk 60 to 70 each. However, the wholesalers sell these cages for Tk 200.
Patuakhali District BSCIC Assistant General Manager Monir Hossain said the training and incentive are needed to keep the industry alive.
