Families still make bamboo products to earn a living

RANGPUR, Oct 13: Around 500 families at different areas of Ulipur and Chilmari upazilas in Kurigram district are changing their financial condition through making different types of bamboo products.

Despite many limitations, these families are still pursuing the business and thus earning their living as some of the bamboo products are still in high demand in both rural and town areas across the country, sources said.

They make different types of baskets, chatai, fish-traps, hand-fans, and some other necessary household materials, sources said.

A number of craftsmen of Toshapara village in Ulipur upazila including Rabiul, Ehsanul, Arjina Begum said many bamboo products are now on the verge of extinction and have been replaced by plastic goods.

Now plastic goods have flooded the markets everywhere. But still they are making profit in making some products, they said.

Craftsmen claimed that sometimes they do not get fair price of their products owing to lack of marketing facilities. They are often compelled to sell their products at low prices, they said.

If the government or non-government organisations (NGOs) give them financial support such as low-interest loan, it would be better for them to continue their profession.

They stressed the need for government patronisation for their survival.

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