Blacksmiths of Joypurhat leaving traditional profession
Thursday, 18 December 2008
Our Correspondent
JOYPURHAT, Dec 17: Blacksmiths in Joypurhat are passing their days in economic hardships with the slump in their business, though they are essential partner of our socio-economic development. Many of them in the district have left their traditional profession because of low income.
The prices of the raw materials like iron, charcoal and other necessary inputs have risen intolerably increasing the production cost of iron-made goods.
Pobitra Mondal (40) of Jamalganj Bazar under Sadar Upazilla said to the correspondent, "I will leave the profession though it is our main profession for three generations."
He explained that in past, all types of raw materials were available in the market at fair price. Now they cannot buy those in fair price and also they are not available in the market.
According to their information, per maund charcoal price is Tk 300 to 350 whereas last 2 or 3 years ago it was only Tk 50 to 70. Raw iron per maund is now Tk 2000 to 2500. But this was previously only Tk 800 to 900 per maund and the highest quality iron price was per kg Tk 30 to 40.
They said they make agriculture equipment and other household goods, which are very strong and endurable.
Now plastic made household items have almost captured the market replacing the some iron goods produced by the blacksmiths. The plastic made goods are cheaper.
Most of them demanded that if the government wanted to save this type of small industries, it would have to patronise and provide credit among them with easy conditions.
JOYPURHAT, Dec 17: Blacksmiths in Joypurhat are passing their days in economic hardships with the slump in their business, though they are essential partner of our socio-economic development. Many of them in the district have left their traditional profession because of low income.
The prices of the raw materials like iron, charcoal and other necessary inputs have risen intolerably increasing the production cost of iron-made goods.
Pobitra Mondal (40) of Jamalganj Bazar under Sadar Upazilla said to the correspondent, "I will leave the profession though it is our main profession for three generations."
He explained that in past, all types of raw materials were available in the market at fair price. Now they cannot buy those in fair price and also they are not available in the market.
According to their information, per maund charcoal price is Tk 300 to 350 whereas last 2 or 3 years ago it was only Tk 50 to 70. Raw iron per maund is now Tk 2000 to 2500. But this was previously only Tk 800 to 900 per maund and the highest quality iron price was per kg Tk 30 to 40.
They said they make agriculture equipment and other household goods, which are very strong and endurable.
Now plastic made household items have almost captured the market replacing the some iron goods produced by the blacksmiths. The plastic made goods are cheaper.
Most of them demanded that if the government wanted to save this type of small industries, it would have to patronise and provide credit among them with easy conditions.