Yarn being made from banana trees in Gaibandha

Cutting down and throwing away the trees after harvesting bananas was a familiar sight. Gardeners used to face problems with trees, because removing the trees was an additional hassle. Now, they have started a new possibility with the discarded banana trees they saw on YouTube in Gaibandha. Eco-friendly yarn is being made from the bark of banana trees, which has changed the lives and livelihoods of many and created an alternative system. It is known that once upon a time, banana trees had no further use after harvesting the fruit. The trees would lie in the fields, rotting and being...

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Cutting down and throwing away the trees after harvesting bananas was a familiar sight. Gardeners used to face problems with trees, because removing the trees was an additional hassle. Now, they have started a new possibility with the discarded banana trees they saw on YouTube in Gaibandha. Eco-friendly yarn is being made from the bark of banana trees, which has changed the lives and livelihoods of many and created an alternative system.
It is known that once upon a time, banana trees had no further use after harvesting the fruit. The trees would lie in the fields, rotting and being destroyed. This meant that gardeners had to incur additional costs to clean the gardens. But now those banana trees have become a valuable raw material.
As seen on YouTube, two young men named Ashiq and Shaon from Sarkarpara, Gaibandha Sadar, are making sustainable yarn from banana tree bark. This is being sold in factories that make various handicraft products including bags, mats, soaps, and other household items, as well as yarn used in surgeries and high-quality cotton for sanitary napkins.
Entrepreneurs Ashiq and Shaon said that first the banana tree is collected and its outer layer is separated. Then it is cleaned and the fibers are extracted using a special process with the help of a machine. After drying it well in the sun, the fibers are spun into yarn. The entire process is environmentally friendly. No chemicals are used in it. As a result, additional economic benefits are obtained without harming nature. And the juice or water extracted while removing the fibers from the bark is sold to various pesticide and soap companies. Organic fertilizer is made from the remaining waste.
Entrepreneur Ashiq said that people in the area used to laugh when they saw him on YouTube collecting banana trees and starting to make yarn, but now everyone is encouraging him. They are now selling the yarn and juice they produce at a good price in Dhaka. With government support, they can create massive employment in the area, including by making not only yarn but also various handicraft products and sanitary napkins.
They are also seeing the potential for future exports as the global market for eco-friendly products is growing. Their initiative has created employment for several locals. Many of the female workers are working from home to make yarn in between household chores. This is increasing family income. Every day, curious people of all ages come to watch the yarn being made.
Abdullah Al Ferdous, Assistant General Manager of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) Gaibandha, said that such ash can be used as an alternative to reading in addition to other uses. They will be provided with the necessary government support, training and marketing assistance to expand this industry.Yarn made from banana trees is being sold for 300 to 700 taka per kilogram, depending on the type, and juice is being sold for 10 taka per liter.