3,000 Phulbaria women turn hogla leaf crafts into source of income

In the remote villages of Phulbaria upazila in Mymensingh, women are turning simple hogla leaves (elephant grass) into ray of their hope. What was once a plant growing unnoticed has now become the part of dreams.

Around 3,000 women from 25 villages are now supporting their families by crafting artistic household items from hogla leaves , earning a steady income and gaining a renewed sense of dignity.

Saleha Begum from Chandpur village said they make different types of items from hogla leaf rope supplied by local entrepreneurs and earn about Tk 7,000 a month.

Afroza Begum of Shibrampur village said she gets good financial support from the job.

Earnings vary depending on work capacity, with many workers making between Tk 10,000 and Tk 12,000 a month.

The women said they are satisfied with the income, as it allows them to work while managing their household chores.

BD Creation, a non-government organisation (NGO), stepped in in 2013 to help the women of Phulbaria become more self-reliant by producing hogla leaf products.

Golam Sarwar, operation manager of BD Creation in Mymensingh, said they also export the items to Europe.

The products include shopping baskets, kitchen baskets, flower tubs, tissue boxes, floor mats and showpieces, said Mohammad Shah Alam, proprietor of HA Handicrafts.

He said there are 400 workers under his firm who earn an average of Tk 10,000 per month.

"I serve orders worth around Tk 20 lakh per month and the sales volume is increasing," added Alam.Md Sumon Mia, proprietor of SM Handicraft, said around 200 women in Bhalukjan village are involved in the work, with numbers increasing as order volumes rise. Zaman Mia, another entrepreneur, added that the organisation provides the raw materials and engages the women to produce the items.Dr Fakir Azmal Huda, professor of agricultural economics at Bangladesh Agricultural University, said demand for handicrafts made from natural fibre is increasing both at home and abroad, which is a good sign for the promotion of the sector.