Products made from the ropes of cattail (reed) plants by the women of remote areas of Mymensingh are making their way to different countries of the world.
More than 250 families of Bhalukjan, Koyarchala and a few other villages in the district’s Fulbaria upazila became financially solvent by making cattail rope-made products.
Cattail, known as hogla in Bengali, is a tall grass-like plant of the bulrush family that grows naturally in wetlands or by water bodies.
Various products including baskets, flower tubs, tissue boxes, pet baskets, carts, shopping bags, seat covers, rugs, wall mats, floor mats, vas, women’s handbags and various decorative goods made from these cattail plant ropes are now being exported to at least 82 countries across the globe.
Additional income from making rope alongside their household work has brought prosperity to the destitute women from remote areas of Mymensingh.
According to related sources, the production of ropes from cattail leaves started in eight districts of Mymensingh division in 2013 under the initiative of an export trade company in Dhaka called BD Creation.
They provided technical training to men and women of the region. Many people started their handmade cattail rope product business on small scales, increasing employment.
Motaleb Hossain, the operations manager of the exporting company BD Creation, said they have exported Tk 200 crore worth of cattail rope, bamboo, cane and various handicrafts products in the last financial year
“Sales will increase further if all these products are properly advertised. This will not only earn the country more foreign currency but also increase employment opportunities for marginal people,” he added.
According to related sources, the cattail ropes are bought from Barishal and Noakhali. After that, the products are made according to the format and supplied to the suppliers through skilled workers in their respective areas.
Once unemployment and poverty haunted the locals of the remote village Bhalukjan. But now almost every family in the area is involved in handicraft art.
Some 120 types of products are produced annually, the market value of which is about Tk 200 crore.
State Minister Swapan Bhattacharjee of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives recently inaugurated Bangladesh Rural Development Board (BRDB) livelihood village in Fulbaria’s Bhalukjan.
He said the government is working to support the poor and destitute people of the village, adding that the entrepreneurs will be supported.
BD Creation is conducting activities for the development of handicrafts and cottage industries and employment generation in 13 districts of the country. About 5 lakh entrepreneurs and handicraft artisans have is making a livelihood through this project.
Matia Zaman of Bhalukjan village said many women in the area have become self-reliant by making handicrafts from cattail ropes.
“I earn about Tk 20,000 per month from making handicraft items. We used to financially struggle once but now I can provide for my family,” she said.
Renuara Begum, another handicraft artisan, is a mother of four. She makes baskets from cattail ropes along with her daughter Jhorna.
“Once we struggled to provide food for our children, but now with my earnings I can even afford their education. Those days of struggles are behind us thanks to the handicraft industry,” she said.
The poor people of the rural areas of Mymensingh are making a living by making aesthetic handicrafts made of cattail leaf ropes. Export trade companies like BD Creation are exporting them to different countries in Europe, America and Asia.
The entrepreneurs believe that sales would increase if road communication and transport system is developed. However, as the market price of daily commodities is high, the artisans also demand to increase their wages.
Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation’s Mymensingh Deputy General Manager Umme Salma said they are ready to support those working in this industry.
“If needed they can apply for small loans. We will provide financial aid to support the industry’s further advancement,” she added.
