Demand for boats have increased in Chitalmari Upazila due to the rise of water level in rivers and water bodies marking the beginning of the monsoon season. Thus, boat makers in the area are working relentlessly to meet the demand of boats for fishermen and farmers in the area.
Pankaj Rajbangshi, Kangal Rajbangshi and other boat makers of Sabokhali village said that during the monsoon season, most of the fishermen rely on boat to catch fish from rivers and water bodies of the area. Farmers of low-lands also rely on boats to transport crops from the field to markets and such. To meet the seasonal demand, they have to work constantly and make boats.
Visiting the area, it was found that boat makers in the Chitalmari Upazila are spending busy time making boats. Many of them were seen collecting and processing lumber for boat making.
Boat maker Hasan Sheikh, Md Ruhul Amin and Habil Rahman said that they are with the boat making business from their childhood. Small sized fishing boats have more demand than larger boats in this area. It takes approximately tk five to six thousands to make a boat. Each can be sold for tk seven to eight thousand.
Md Salim and Jahangir of Nalua area said that they usually work seasonally to meet the demand of boats. Being a side business, boat making provides them the money they need to survive in monsoon season.
It takes almost tk six thousand to make a small boat. Due to the increasing rate of workers salary, this business is becoming less profitable now a days. A 60-70 feet long boat takes almost tk four lakhs to get built.
Habib Sheikh, a buyer from Chitalmari area said that farmers and fishermen like him need boats during monsoon season for crop transportation and fishing. As roads in the area become submerged, boats become the only way of transportation in the area.
Locals said that many also become busy repairing older boats in this season. As many farmers and fishermen do not have enough capital to buy a new boat, the market of second hand boat and boat repairing is also thrive in this season.
