Our Correspondent
RANGPUR, Sept 19: Some 250 potter families of Palpara village at Mominpur union in Rangpur Sadar Upazila are earning their livelihood making different varieties of earthen products.
Despite many limitations they are still pursuing their ancestral business, as some of the clay products are still in huge demand in both rural and town areas across the country.
A good number of potters including Nakul Chandra Pal, Swapna Rani Robin Chandra Pal told The Financial Express usually they make different domestic utensils like pitchers, jars, curd making pots, flower pots, coin saving banks, and toys.
But most of these traditional earthen wares have lost their appeal and attraction in the face of aggressive modern technology as utensils made of steel, melamine and plastic have become popular among the users, they further said.
However, earthen products like flower pot, plant pots are still in good demand.
A number of potters claimed that they do not get fair price of their products due to lack of marketing facilities. They are often compelled to sell their products at a price less than the production cost as middlemen always deprive them of fair price.
The main ingredient which is essential to make these products is called potter's soil or 'Kumar Mati'. Nowadays this sort of soil has become scarce and its price has increased abnormally, sources said.
Due to price hike of wood, clay and other materials the potters now can make only a little profit from their products. Owing to lack of adequate capital they are facing serious difficulties in running their business and as a result many of them have already left their profession and taken up new jobs.
Expressing disappointment the potters said shortage of capital as well as lack of marketing facilities are the main obstacles in the way of development of the industry. If they get easy bank loan facilities or low-interest loan from any organisation, the industry would get a thrust, they added.
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