Nature, Profitability and Sustainability of Murta (Schumannianthus dichotoma (Sal.) Willd.) Based Small-Scale Enterprises in North-Eastern Bangladesh

A study was conducted on small-scale enterprises based on murta (Schumannianthus dichotoma (Sal.) Willd.) in Gowainghat upazila (sub-district) to investigate their nature, profitability and sustainability. The study area was selected purposively while a general random sampling method was followed to select individual respondents. About 94% people are involved in murta-based enterprises and there is a clear division of labour between males and female. Almost 80% of the manufacturing work is done by females. The average annual income of the artisans is Tk.65733 (USD 939) and 62% of the total income comes from murta-based small enterprises. Fresh water swamp forest and homestead forest are the major sources of raw materials and cost of raw materials ranges from Tk.127 for simple dining mats to Tk.188 for coloured bed mats. Net average profit per article ranges from Tk.127 to Tk.250. However, the sustainability of these enterprises is at risk, due in particular to shortage of raw materials and lack of supportive government policy.