Yarn Made from Banana Plants and Water Hyacinths in Subarnachar Is Being Exported Abroad
Unemployed youth Shankar Majumder in Subarnachar, Noakhali, has drawn attention by producing eco-friendly yarn from discarded banana plants and water hyacinth. The promising yarn industry, set up in Char Amanullah Union in the coastal area, is now exporting its products to different countries.
A popular saying by Khana goes, “Plant banana trees and do not cut their leaves; they will provide both clothes and food.” The saying seems to have come true in the coastal areas of Subarnachar, Noakhali.
After watching YouTube videos, local youth Shankar Majumder bought a machine for just Tk 120,000 and launched the initiative. His venture, which turns discarded banana plants and water hyacinth into yarn, now employs 10 to 15 workers. It earns several lakh taka a month.
Shankar Majumder said the banana fibre yarn produced at his factory had gained considerable demand beyond Bangladesh. Buyers from different countries contact him and seek around 100 tonnes of yarn every month. However, a shortage of capital and machinery prevents him from meeting the demand.
A worker named Mithun said banana plants are first collected and stored before the fibres are extracted to make yarn. The yarn is then washed, dried in the sun and packed.
The entrepreneur’s colleagues said banana plants and water hyacinth are collected first and processed into raw materials. Machines are then used to extract the fibres, which are washed thoroughly and dried in the sun. After drying, the yarn is packed and prepared for delivery.
Banana fibre yarn is currently sold at Tk 500 to Tk 600 per kilogram, while water hyacinth yarn sells for Tk 700 to Tk 800 per kilogram. Banana fibre yarn is exported to China, while water hyacinth yarn is sent to different European countries.
The leftover waste from yarn production is also put to use rather than discarded. It is sold at Tk 40 per kilogram and can be used to make coco dust for nurseries and as cattle feed.
Local people initially found it hard to believe that discarded plants could be turned into valuable yarn and contribute to the economy. Shankar’s success has now inspired other young people in the area. People from different places visit the factory every day, and many are considering launching similar ventures.
Locals, however, believe government support and adequate funding are essential to sustain and expand this promising industry. They hope the government will support entrepreneurs whose initiatives can help reduce unemployment and contribute to the local economy.
Upazila Youth Development Officer Khurshid Alam said an entrepreneur named Shankar had already launched a project to produce yarn from banana plants and water hyacinth. The products are being marketed commercially in Noakhali, Bogura, Dinajpur and other areas.
The Department of Youth Development is always ready to support enterprising young people, he said.
He also urged Shankar Majumder to contact his office. Discussions had already been held on how to provide him with financial assistance through institutions such as Grameen Bank and Karmasangsthan Bank, he added.
Subarnachar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Akib Osman said a young entrepreneur from Char Amanullah Union had taken a promising technological initiative to produce yarn from locally available banana plants and water hyacinth.
He congratulated the entrepreneur on behalf of the Subarnachar upazila administration.
He said the administration would encourage young entrepreneurs who were trying to introduce new ideas. Those interested in starting similar ventures and in need of investment or loans would also receive assistance in contacting financial institutions and government banks willing to provide funding, he added.
