Rastriya Samachar Samiti

Bhojpur, March 21:

Lack of market for bamboo and cane products produced locally in Ranibas and Basikhora village development committees of Bhojpur district has compelled the entrepreneurs to go out in search of market as far as Bayarban and other areas of Sunsari district.

"Lack of local buyers for bamboo products that usually comprise goods of domestic use has compelled us to go to the neighbouring districts in search of market," says Jeet Bahadur Bantawa of Ranibas-3. Bantawa, who has been involved in the business for the past ten years, says he has to walk for two days to reach Bayarban, Chatara to sell his products.

Though there is a small market for such products in the district headquarters Bhojpur, such products receive a comparatively low price. As a result most of the people involved in the business take their products to towns in nearby districts.

Some traders also exchange their products for cereals like rice, maize and millet.

"It is the family profession of many poor in rural parts of the district and so far they have been hardly able to run their family," says Ram Bahadur Khatri, a local social worker.

Many paddy farmers are also involved in this business during winter season and exchange it for salt and oil.

A large number of bamboo and cane industries have been officially registered but only 19 are running smoothly at present, says Narayan Shah, chief of cottage industry development branch office. Many locals here feel that development of transportation services to Bhojpur would benefit the traders involved in the profession.