Hogla pata can be a cure for Barishal’s poverty

The simple skill of turning naturally available materials into utilitarian products has been passed down since ancient civilisations, but still awaits the right initiatives in Bangladesh for all potential to be utilised.

It all becomes more relevant considering the worldwide hullabaloo centring climate change and ensuring sustainable environments.

Take the case of elephant grass, or hogla pata as is called in Bangla. With a low requirement for water and nutrients, it can be harvested a couple of times a year and stored year round on being baked under the sun.

The grass can be woven into elegant yet strong handicraft items such as baskets, ropes, hats and even into roofing and fencing.

It is the most common raw material used by handicraft artisans in Barishal, although the output is mostly limited to mats, thanks to huge surges in demand during the sacrifice of animals on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.

The grass can be found in Agailjhara, Gournadi, Hijla, Mehendiganj, Muladi and Bakerganj upazilas.

And from there it is sourced by villagers of Ruia, Karapur, Charmonai, Shaistabad, Taltoli, Lamchhari areas of Barishal sadar upazila to make mats. It is practically the main source of income for many women.

This form of livelihood sustains another 300 financially insolvent people living in Tiakhali area, right in Barisal city.

The local artisans demand government assistance for this sector citing the lack of product variation and in the waning number of people who have the skills.

Around 3,000 families are engaged in making mats and although the craft has been around for ages, the business usually makes little profit due to the lack of product variety, said Rafiqul Alam, an adviser to Barisal Patishilpa Samitee.

Mukul Sarkar, a hogla craftsman of Tiakhali, said it takes a single person one day to produce a mat, which usually retails for about Tk 60 to Tk 80 depending on its size.

However, seeing as many craftsmen do not own a hogla plantation, they have to buy the materials.

This price of one bundle of hogla is about Tk 150-250 and it can be used to produce about four or five mats.

The leaves are usually collected between November and December and can be kept in dry storage all year round, Sarkar said.

Prabhati Sarkar, another hogla mat maker from the area, said he can earn about Tk 150 per day by making up to three hogla mats daily with help from his family.

"But we could have made a lot more hogla products if we had support from the government," he added.

Meanwhile, hogla trader Paresh Sarkar said the demand for the material increases a bit during Eid-ul-Adha, when good prices are available.

If hogla mats were considered as traditional products, the business would have accommodated at least 10,000 more people, according to Rebeka Sultana, secretary to Barisal Business Forum.

At present, 5,000 to 6,000 people are involved in this profession in Barishal district.

It is possible to earn Tk 50 crore annually from this sector if a variety of products made from hogla was introduced.

"But to do this, training and marketing is needed," she added.

Tarun Pal, managing director of handicrafts exporter Crafts Village, said he buys hogla products worth at least Tk 3 to Tk 4 crore every year from Bogura, Narsingdhi and Noakhali districts.

It is possible to get a variety of elephant grass products from Barishal but to do that, training is needed, Pal said.

If the local craftspeople are trained on different designs, their income can increase significantly, said Md Jalish Mahamud, deputy general manager of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation office in Barishal.

Ranjit Dutta, president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, said if rural industries were enhanced, the benefits would be felt across every village.

"People in this area were much poorer before than they are now and the fact that women are able to earn from the business has helped decrease extreme poverty in their families," Dutta added.