CANE & BAMBOO ARTISAN GOODS & FURNITURE

Introduction

Goods & Furniture made of Cane & Bamboo by artisans of Tripura is already appreciated in markets outside the state. Handloom woven Bamboo Mats and products using such mats as inputs have replaced many traditional handicraft items of the state. However, these products are produced in plenty in the state. Therefore use of traditional skill in producing Handicrafts & furniture from Cane & Bamboo is envisaged here. These products shall essentially involve manual weaving of bamboo slivers to produce utility products like Sofa-sets, chairs, Tables, Raking-Chair etc.

Market:

 Handicrafts normally fetch lesser revenues at home and by-far more revenue in sales away from place of production. Bamboo sliver based products like Dala, Kula, sieve hand fans, etc. are utility items used locally. These are priced so low that the artisan hardly earns his daily wages. Experience of one larger unit in Natunbazar, Agartala indicate that products like Rocking-chair, when exported by sending by Air ensures very high profit. The Development Commissioner of Handicrafts and Export Promotion Organisation of Crafts and handicrafts are helping artisans to export their handicrafts abroad. Inside the country Tripura handicrafts are sold by Tripura Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation and North Eastern Handicrafts & Handloom Development Corporation, besides others in private sector. Products like Bamboo shiver sofa sets, Rocking chair, etc. are already being sold by the above agencies.

Capacity: 

It is assumed that the unit will operate for single shift of 8 hours per day for 300 working days per year. The Installed capacity is estimated on the basis of sliver making capacity. 

Accordingly the annual installed capacity is estimated as below:

1. Sofa set with two single sofa, one triple sofa, one 48 sets worth Rs. 15,45,000/-

Centre table and two side tables

2. Small utility items like Seive, Dala, Hand fan etc. 3000 No.s worth Rs. 55,,000/-

Process of Manufacture: 

The process of manufacture of Bamboo furniture and other utility materials involve the following:

1. Manual sizing of bamboo

2. Soaking sized bamboo in water

3. Mechanized splitting and making of slivers

4. Manual finishing of slivers

5. Manual weaving of sliver nets

6. Manual making of furniture frame

7. Sizing & shaping of sliver nets

8. Assembling of nets with frames

9. finishing of products including varnishing

Raw Materials: 

Paora (Bambusa Polymorpha), Bom (Bambura Chcharensis), Dolu (Schizostachym Dulloa), etc. Bamboo suit Bamboo furniture and handicrafts manufacture better. These are locally available. Though prices of these bamboos have gone up, the prices in Tripura are still cheaper than other major bamboo growing areas. Other raw-materials like wire nails, sandpaper, varnish, etc. are also available in local markets. The annual requirement of raw-materials at the installed capacity and costs are shown below: