Staff Reporter:

As various part of Kazipur upazila in Sirajganj district have been facing constant threat of devastating erosion by the river Jamuna, people of some villages in the upazila have started changing their lot by producing and selling blanket in the market during the winter.

Meanwhile, the upazila has been recognized as a low-cost blanket producing and selling hub. Traders in the area are now expecting to earn about Tk 450 crore this year.

Sources said, discarded fabric scraps from ready-made garment factories are the main resources of blanket production. The waste clothes have become the backbone of livelihood for thousands of families in about 30 villages including Shimuldair, Shyampur, Salavara, Kunkunia, Dhekuriya and Beltoil in the upazila, where blanket-making has transformed into a thriving cottage industry.

Alongside blankets, workers are also producing children’s trousers, pants, shirts and sweaters to meet seasonal demand.

Local entrepreneurs say nearly 40,000 men and women are employed across the cluster, with demand for Kazipur-made blankets growing across the country due to affordable prices and reliable quality.

The industry emerged in the erosion prone area about two decades ago through local initiatives.

Traders buy garment waste and cut pieces from Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj and even from Chattogram at Tk 600 to Tk 2,000 per maund.

After sorting and cutting, the fabric is stitched into blankets by village-based workers, many of whom are women who have become self reliant through the craft.

Small-scale production that once catered to nearby districts has now expanded nationwide.

On average, around Tk 30 lakh worth of blankets is bought and sold daily during peak season, which runs from July to January. Retailers and wholesalers from roughly 40 districts regularly visit Shimuldair market, now widely known as the centre of Bangladesh’s blanket industry. Local sellers also take orders online, widening market access.

Jamirul Islam, a trader of Shimuldair market said, they source raw materials from Narayanganj and prepare blankets through local cutting and stitching teams.

“Because prices are reasonable and the quality is good, demand is high. If a bank branch is established here, we could access low-interest loans and expand further,” he said.

Businessman Tariqul Islam, who lost his home to river erosion said, he has been engaged in the trade when he lost his job. Now, he is earning a good profit from this business.

Saidur Rahman Bacchu, President of Sirajganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, “Though the trade thrives here, traders face problems due to lack of banking facility and adequate security in the area. So, there is a need to set up bank for the sake of these traders.

“Around Tk450 crore worth of blankets are sold every winter from Kazipur, yet local businesses suffer due to limited financial support. We are in discussion with Bangladesh Bank officials to establish a branch here. With low-interest loans, this industry can grow further and provide even more jobs,” he said.

He added that thousands of men and women now depend on the sector for their livelihoods, calling it one of the most promising cottage industries in the region.