BSS, Barguna :
A number of rural people in six upazilas of the district achieved not only self-reliance by making bamboo products but could also infuse a positive change in their lives.
Bamboo craft has become the main profession of these rural poor people known as ‘Patnee’ in local language. Bamboo, the fastest-growing plant, has been a real boon to these poor people in the district.
These rural artisans make fine quality bamboo products such as basket, chai, kula, chaluni, chatai and different types of mats. The male members of an artisan family generally collect materials from different sources, while the women make the products. Most of these artisans have inherited the age-old profession from their forefathers.
Their children, who study in schools, also help their parents in making products in their free time. The artisans sell their products mainly in different markets in the district.
Most of the landless and marginal farmers are engaged in making these, when they have no work in the farm land. But it is unfortunate that the poor artisans do not get fair prices of their products. Some middlemen are exploiting the situation and making a brisk business depriving the poor craftsmen, said the locals.
If the rural craftsmen get proper training and loans on easy terms from banks, the quality of their products will improve considerably, the locals opined.
District Social Welfare Department officer M Basir Uddin said they will take necessary measures in these regards.
