Traditional oil mill owners facing hard times in N region
Tuesday, 18 September 2007
Our Correspondent
SIRAJGANJ, Sep 17: The owners of traditional oil mills or 'ghani' have been facing hard times in the northern districts of Sirajganj and Pabna.
According to sources, there was a time when over 1,800 people earned their livelihood by extracting oil with the 'ghani'. But now the number has come down to around 650.
The local farmers usually cultivate Boro after harvesting Aman. They burn the straw, and then sow mustard seeds without tilling the lands. Earlier, the mustard produced in this process was taken to 'ghani' for extracting oil.
Presently, the power driven oil mills have marginalised the traditional oil mills in various parts of the districts. Moreover, refined oils like soybean and palm oil have substituted mustard oil in the markets.
As a result, the local people no longer use traditional oil mill to extract mustard oil. They are now passing hard times without any work or have shifted themselves to other professions.
Some owners said, about Tk 20,000 is needed for operating a 'ghani' by using horse or bullock, and they have to borrow the money at high rates of interest. They urged the government to provide them with necessary support for survival.
SIRAJGANJ, Sep 17: The owners of traditional oil mills or 'ghani' have been facing hard times in the northern districts of Sirajganj and Pabna.
According to sources, there was a time when over 1,800 people earned their livelihood by extracting oil with the 'ghani'. But now the number has come down to around 650.
The local farmers usually cultivate Boro after harvesting Aman. They burn the straw, and then sow mustard seeds without tilling the lands. Earlier, the mustard produced in this process was taken to 'ghani' for extracting oil.
Presently, the power driven oil mills have marginalised the traditional oil mills in various parts of the districts. Moreover, refined oils like soybean and palm oil have substituted mustard oil in the markets.
As a result, the local people no longer use traditional oil mill to extract mustard oil. They are now passing hard times without any work or have shifted themselves to other professions.
Some owners said, about Tk 20,000 is needed for operating a 'ghani' by using horse or bullock, and they have to borrow the money at high rates of interest. They urged the government to provide them with necessary support for survival.