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NILPHAMARI, March 2: Thousands of potter families of Nilphamari district are in acute financial crisis due to hard competition from alternatives like aluminium, melamine and ceramic products.
Earthenware had long been indispensable for every household in rural Bangladesh, especially as poor peoples' utensils. Thus, pottery emerged as a cottage industry and handicraft as well.
The scenario has changed drastically. Presently, a potter and his pottery do not bear such importance as before. However, the business is more-or-less profitable and also an expression of diversity of our national economy and heritage.
Only one single ingredient, called potter's soil or 'Kumar mati', is necessary to make these products and it is found only in particular places. But its price has gone up recently. It was informed that the present market price of 1,000 cft of potter's soil is taka 3,000.
While contacted the potters said, products, made of aluminium, melamine and ceramic, have almost captured the market's greater portion. Presently, the ultra-poor and low-income group people, who were the regular customers of earthenware, are purchasing these products less than before.
However, earthen products like flowerpots, tiles, etc., are still in good demand. For making curd and storing molasses pottery is still indispensable.
Sources said, there are still about 1,000 potter families engaged in their ancestral profession in the district. Moreover, there are thousands of peddlers selling pottery from door to door to make a living.
Compared to ceramic and melamine products, the production cost of earthenware is nominal. Besides, this sector is completely exempted from government tax.
However, it is sad but true that the diligent and creative potters always have to suffer from acute financial crisis. Many think that commercial banks and NGOs should make loans available to these hard working people.
Concerned sources have also opined that there should be an appropriate government policy to protect and expand this traditional industry. If the latest technology is introduced in this sector, it can boost up the industry and also create employment opportunity, they added.
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