UNB, Satkhira :
A crisis of raw materials , low prices of finished goods and availability of cheaper alternatives are pushing the once thriving ‘mele’ mat industry of Satkhira towards extinction.
“The demand for ‘mele’ mats came down due to availability of plastic mats,” said Kawsar Ali, a wholesale mat trader of Sultanpur Boro Bazar in Satkhira who has been involved with the trade for 30 years.
A medium-sized plastic mat is sold at Tk 200-220 whereas a ‘mele’ mat of the same size costs Tk 300-350. “People are basically going for the cheaper alternative,” he said.
Many mat artisans are changing professions. But it was not always like this.
Only two decades ago, the business was brisk and mats from Satkhira were supplied all over the country.
Ninety percent families of Tetulia village in Ashashuni upazila used to be involved with mat production in the early 2000s, locals said. The number is now dwindling and at present, a small number of families are involved with the trade.
Many artisans are barely managing to hold on to the profession.
Gobinda Mondol, 55, is one of them. He said ‘mele’, a type of grass used as raw material for making the mat, is scarce now and costs much.
“Tk 500 is needed to make a big-sized mat and it’s sold for Tk 600. It takes time to make a mat and it’s really difficult to run family with the paltry income,” he said.
A crisis of raw materials , low prices of finished goods and availability of cheaper alternatives are pushing the once thriving ‘mele’ mat industry of Satkhira towards extinction.
“The demand for ‘mele’ mats came down due to availability of plastic mats,” said Kawsar Ali, a wholesale mat trader of Sultanpur Boro Bazar in Satkhira who has been involved with the trade for 30 years.
A medium-sized plastic mat is sold at Tk 200-220 whereas a ‘mele’ mat of the same size costs Tk 300-350. “People are basically going for the cheaper alternative,” he said.
Many mat artisans are changing professions. But it was not always like this.
Only two decades ago, the business was brisk and mats from Satkhira were supplied all over the country.
Ninety percent families of Tetulia village in Ashashuni upazila used to be involved with mat production in the early 2000s, locals said. The number is now dwindling and at present, a small number of families are involved with the trade.
Many artisans are barely managing to hold on to the profession.
Gobinda Mondol, 55, is one of them. He said ‘mele’, a type of grass used as raw material for making the mat, is scarce now and costs much.
“Tk 500 is needed to make a big-sized mat and it’s sold for Tk 600. It takes time to make a mat and it’s really difficult to run family with the paltry income,” he said.
