Economic profitability of cane based furniture enterprises of Chittagong City Corporation area, Bangladesh

Abstract

An exploratory survey was conducted to assess economic profitability of cane based furniture enterprises in Chittagong City Corporation area of Bangladesh. A multistage random sampling was adopted to carry out the study. Based on the total investment the enterprises were divided into large, medium and small.. Most of the entrepreneurs (55%) are in the age class 40–50 years and only (18.33%) are >50 years. In small and medium category lowest entrepreneurs (8.33% each) are found graduate and 18.33% in large farm. Most of the enterprises are in the small category (45%) and 66.67% labors are skilled whereas only 33.33% are unskilled. Seven articles of sixteen different sizes were identified made from cane, which are Sofa (45 cm × 45 cm, 50 cm × 50 cm and 55 cm × 55 cm), Dinning (4ch. 1tab, and 6ch. 1tab.), Bed (1 m × 2m, 1.3 m × 2.3 m and 1.5 m × 2.3 m), Chair (45 cm × 45 cm and 50 cm ×50 cm), Rocking chair (large size, medium and small size), Dolna (Hanging and Running) and Partition. In all the three category enterprises chair (45 cm × 45 cm) was produced in highest number and the lowest production was Bed (1.5 m × 2.3 m). The total net benefit (2089 US$) and benefit cost ratio (1:16) was the highest for large cane enterprises. So among three categories of the cane enterprises the large enterprises are more profitable than others.

Keywords

Bangladesh / Cane enterprises / Net benefit / Benefit-cost ratio

References

[1] Akther S., Faisal A.M., Nath T.K., Jashimuddin M. Impact of forest based cottage industry on rural development of Bangladesh: The case of Fatickchhaari Thana under Chittagong district [J], Chittagong University Studies Part II: Science, 1997, 21(1): 81-86.

[2] Alam, M.K. 1990. Rattans of Bangladesh [R]. Bulletin 7. Plant Taxonomy Series. Bangladesh Forest Research Institute.

[3] Alamgir M., Jashimuddin M., Bhuyian M.A.R. Employment generation and economics of cane based furniture enterprises of Chittagong, Bangladesh [J]. Journal of Bamboo and Rattans, 2005, 4(3): 279-291.

[4] Anonymous. 1992. Preparation of Structural Plan, Master Plan and Detailed Area Plan for Chittagong (UNDP/UNHS Project No. BGD/88/052) [M], Chittagong, Bangladesh.

[5] Ara R. Rao A.N., Rao V.R. Silviculture, improvement and conservation of rattan in Bangladesh [C] Rayyan Taxonomy, ecology, silviculture, conservation, genetic improvement and Biotechnology, 1997 Serdang, Malaysia: IPGRI-APO

[6] Ara R. Rao A.N., Rao V.R. Taxonomy and ecology of rattan in Bangladesh [C] Rayyan Taxonomy, ecology, silviculture, conservation, genetic improvement and Biotechnology, 1997 Serdang, Malaysia: IPGRI-APO

[7] Bakht Z. Entrepreneurship in Bangladesh rural industries [J]. Bangladesh Development Studies, 1984, XII(1–2): 25-58.

[8] Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Statistical year book of Bangladesh [M], 2002 Dhaka: Ministry of Planning, Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh

[9] Banik R.L. Banik R.L., Alam M.K., Pei S.J., Rastogi A. Conservation and Propagations challenges of bamboo and rattan resources in Chittagong Hill Tracts [C] Applied Ethnobotany, BFRI-UNESCO-ICIMOD, 1998 Bangladesh: Chittagong 103-111.

[10] Burkill I.H. A dictionary of the economic products of the Malay Peninsula [M], 1935 London: Crown Agents

[11] Chowdhury P.K., Nahar B.N. Woman entrepreneurs of rural industries in some selected area [R], 1993 Kotbari, Comilla: Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD)

[12] Corner E. J. H. The Natural History of Palms [M], 1966 London: Wiedenfield and Nicolson.

[13] Dransfield J. Wan R. W. M., Dransfield J., Manokaran N. Traditional uses of rattan [C] A Guide to the Cultivation of Rattan. Forest Research Institute: Forest Record No. 35, 1992 Kuala Lumpur: FRI

[14] FAO Small scale forest based processing enterprises [M] FAO Forestry Paper No. 79, 1993 Rome: FAO

[15] Hossain M. Productibility and profitability in Bangladesh rural industries [J]. Bangladesh Development Studies, 1984, XII(1–2): 127-162.

[16] Mohiuddin M., Rashid M.H., Rahman M.R. Seed germination and optimal time of transfer of seedlings of Calamus spp. From seed bed to polythene bag [J]. Bamo Biggyan Patrika, 1986, 15(1&2): 21-24.

[17] Nath T.K., Uddin M.B., Ahmed M. Role of bamboo based cottage industry in economic upliftment of rural poor: A case study from rural Bangladesh [J]. The Malaysian Forester, 2000, 63(3): 98-105.

[18] Nuruzzaman M. National report on the state of bamboo and rattan development in Bangladesh [R], 2001 Dhaka, Bangladesh: Forest Department

[19] Patric B.D., Ward U., Kashio M. Non-wood Forest Products in Asia [M], 1994 Bangkok: FAO

[20] Renuka, C. 2002. Status of rattan resources and uses in South Asia. Rattan Current research issues and prospects for conservation and sustainable development [C]. Based on the outcome of the FAO Expert Consultation on Rattan Development held at FAO, Rome, Italy 5–7 December 2000. 106–107 pp.

[21] Sunderland, T.C.H. 1998. The rattans of Rio Muni, Equatorial Guinea: utilisation, biology and distribution. Report to the Proyecto Conservación y Utilización Regional de los Ecosistemas Forestales (CUREF) [R] — Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo — Proyecto No. 6 — ACP-EG 020. CUREF.