<i>Kartik's persistence pays</i>
Lime production has brought fortune to Kartik Das, thanks to his persistent efforts in the traditional family business at Gobra Bazar in the district.
Starting lime production from shell of snails and oysters 35 years ago, he now produces over 5,000 maunds of lime a year.
“I first started this work with my father when I was 13 years' old. At the age of 22, I started my own factory investing Tk 15,000. Now the capital has grown to Tk 15 lakh and 15 regular staff work in my cottage industry," said Kartik.
During recent visit to the area, this correspondent learnt that 30 to 40 families of Gobra, Lakhipasha and Hamidpur areas of Narail district are involved in this traditional profession inherited from their forefathers. Now over 500 people are employed in around 150 small factories set up to produce lime in the areas.
"Earlier I collected shells of snails and oysters from the Sundarbans for producing lime. Now the local forias (middlemen) collect the items from different shrimp enclosures and sell it to us for Tk 200 per maund (40 kg)," said Kartik.
“At first I sold my lime in local markets. Later I started wholesale business in it. Lime of Narail has demand across the country for its low cost and high quality. It is sold to wholesalers in Jhenidah, Natore, Tangail, Magura, Manikganj, Rajshahi, Bogra, Rangpur, Chittagong and Comilla districts and capital Dhaka," he said.
To produce lime, the shell is washed and then put on a bhata (furnace) that uses firewood to burn the item to make slaked lime.
It is taken with betel leaf, and used in shrimp enclosures and for whitewashing brick built houses.
"My factory produces 20 maunds of powder lime daily, costing Tk 8,000 and it sells at Tk 800 per maund," said Kartik.
"Lime bears bright prospect for export to neighbouring countries but we need soft loans to purchase modern machinery and arrange training to produce quality items," he added.
He urged the government to extend financial and logistic support for development of the industry.
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