Many in Munshiganj become self-reliant thru handicraft

Hundreds of families from different villages in Gazaria upazila, Munshiganj have become self-sufficient through cane and jute-made handcraft products.

An organisation named Maa Babar Doa Handicraft employs the residents of Nayanagar, Sholoani, Fuldi and Charkishorganj villages of the upazila to craft these products.

Md Ahsan Ullah Bhuiyan, the proprietor of the organisation said 250 people from the villages are working in his industry.The organisation has helped them find financial stability.

Ahsan Ullah quit his job in the garments industry in 2014 and got training in handicraft products in Dhaka. After working on his own for a few years in 2020 with a capital of Tk 5 lakh he founded the organisation.

The organisation makes handcrafted products from cane, jute, hogla leaves(elephant grass), palm leaves, straw and other items. As its reputation spread across the upazila, residents of the surrounding villages also became interested in the industry.

Currently, men and women of hundreds of families in the villages are making fruit baskets, flower baskets, spoon holders, various kinds of showpieces and handbags. Ahsan Ullah exports these handicraft products to about 45 countries of the world.

He said these handicraft products are being exported to different countries including the United States, England, Russia, China, Japan, Italy, Singapore, and Canada.

“Our handcrafted products represent Bangladesh in foreign countries. It is a potential industry for our country. The products are environmentally friendly and are in demand,” the entrepreneur said.

Ahsan Ullah further said that he had always dreamt of establishing himself through self-employment. However, he could not continue his education after SSC due to family reasons and found a job at a garment factory.

“After leaving my job in 2014, I worked for several days after training in a handicraft manufacturing company in Mohammadpur, Dhaka with the help of my uncle. I wanted to help the people of my village to find employment so I started my organisation there,” he said.

Halima Begum, 40, of Nayanagar village works for the organisation making handcrafted products.

“I along with some of my family members craft handmade products in our leisure. I earn about Tk 4,000-5,000 per month. This additional income has helped my family achieve financial stability,” she said.

Sofia, 42, from the same village is happy being able to contribute financially to the family by making handcrafted products from plant fibres and similar items.

Ahsan Ullah’s organisation has earned a reputation in the area, inspiring many to invest in handcrafted products. However, those involved in the industry believe that the industry in the area has been unable to develop further due to a lack of patronage and support from the government.

Upon contacting the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) regional office, this correspondent found that the officials were unaware of the development of the handicraft industry in the villages of Gazaria upazila of the district.

Md Abdullah, deputy director of Muktarpur BSCIC, Munshiganj, said, “I did not know that such an industry had been established in the upazila. Anyone involved in the cottage industry will be provided all sorts of support and assistance by our office,” adding that they will provide loans if needed.