Coconut shells are usually thrown away after using the water and husk. These discarded coconut shells are now being used to make various lucrative handicrafts. Nowadays, it has become a source of income for many.
Khalid Bin Walid, a young entrepreneur from Chuadanga, came up with the idea of making handicrafts using discarded coconut shells. These shells are used to make excellent looking birds' nests, soap cases, lamp shades, salt shakers, show-pieces, jewellery, teapots, vases, toy boats, pen holders, lanterns, kettles, spoons, cups and nearly 250 other products. Meeting the demand in the domestic markets, the coconut shells made products are also being exported to various countries including Germany, Italy, France, Spain in Europe and in China, Indonesia, and Thailand in Asia.
Khalid Bin Walid, a resident of Satgari Para in Chuadanga Municipality, studied at the Department of Chemistry at Rajshahi University. While studying at the university, the course called Environmental Chemistry was his favorite. Since then, he has been thinking about doing something environmentally friendly.
He started researching eco-friendly products. He built a factory in the Satghari area with the desire to make products from abandoned coconut shells.
Khalid Bin Walid proposed to Alamin Hossain, a carpenter from Shankar Chandra village of Chuadanga Sadar Upazila, to make handicraft products in the factory. Alamin, who was already skilled in handicraft work, was taken for training in Barisal. From there, he got the initial idea of the work. Then, work started in the factory on a small scale. Later, he also learned various types of handicraft work by watching videos on YouTube.
In 2018, Khalid Bin Waleed started a commercial factory called 'Rodo Handicrafts', producing handcraft products. First, coconut shells are bought from Jessore and Khulna at Taka 15 per kg. Then, craftsmen prepare handcrafts from those shells by hand and using machines. Materials like wood, bamboo, yarn, glue, and varnish of different colours are needed to make products from the shells. More than 250 types of fancy and usable products can be made from those shells. After making the products, they are varnished. Every day, from morning to evening, 8 to 10 craftsmen and their assistants work in the factory. A craftsman can make 3-4 products per day.
There is a huge demand for products made from coconut shells in the domestic market. Because they look beautiful and are of better quality than any other product. The products are environmentally friendly. Each of them is sold at a price of 100-800 taka depending on the size and quality. Having met the demand in the domestic market, these products have now started being exported abroad. Products worth about Taka 40,000 to 50,0000 are being exported in various countries in Europe and Asia every month.
Earlier, people used to collect coconut shells and throw them everywhere. During the rainy season, water would accumulate in the shells, breeding mosquitoes. But now those shells are being sold to make handicrafts.
Factory manager Sabuj Sabid said, "Traders from different districts come to our factory and buy products. Many also place orders online."
Khalid Bin Walid, Director of Rodo Handicrafts, said, "This initiative is to protect the environment. Various products made from coconut shells are now being sold at home and abroad. The demand is also high. The important thing is that many people have been employed through this initiative."
Former Principal Siddiqur Rahman, President of Chuadanga District Environment Movement, said, "What this young entrepreneur is doing to protect the environment is laudable. Mosquitoes live in coconut garlands. By putting the garlands to use, the environment is being protected from damage. Cottage industry products are being made in Chuadanga. Other young people should also cme forward in this profession."
Chuadanga BSCIC Deputy Manager ABM Anisuzzaman said, 'This is a good initiative. Various materials for cottage industries are being made from coconut shells. All sorts of cooperation would be provided to Rodo Handicrafts.'
