Hoggle leaf-based cottage industries were once highly valued in the countryside of Laxsmipur. In the evolution of time this industry is now almost extinct. With the blessings of nature, this aquatic plant, which grows on the banks of rivers, canals and khals, was made of 'hoggle leaves' to make various necessities of life. The low-income people of the village used to make ends meet by selling the collected hoggle leaves and the products made from these leaves. At present, hoggle leaves, the heritage of rural Bengal, is lost in the abundance of plastic materials.
However, there is still a significant demand for this leaf in the markets in the rural areas of Laxsmipur. Hoggle leaves are being produced more in Charpata of Raipur upazila, Paschim Char Ramnimohan and Madhyamm Char Ramnimohan of Sadar upazila and Meghna coastal area of Ramgati and Kamal Nagar upazilas.
Experts believe that the soil of this coastal district is suitable for growing hoggle leaves. So if you take the initiative, it is possible to bring back the good days. Then this 'hoggle leaf' can provide prosperity to the rural economy of Laxmipur under the planned patronage.
In addition to hoggle leaves or the ingredients made from this leaf, the powder collected from hoggle leaves’ flowers has now become quite popular throughout Laxsmipur district. Poor farmers are making a profit by selling this powder in the market.
In the local language it is better known as 'Ogle Gundi'. It is known that the demand for hoggle leaf powder has increased as it is rich in nutrients and delicious. A type of cake made with hoggle leaf powder is very popular here.
According to the local senior residents, at one time the use of hogs made of hoggle leaves was very common in various social ceremonies including maktabs, mosques, madrasas and temples. Especially people of all classes and professions in the village used this patti for eating, drinking, praying and sleeping in the family. In the heat-stricken rural areas of that time, the hand fan made of hoggle leaves was the daily companion of the people.
At that time hoggle leaf based art-materials could be seen in every house of the village. Some people relied on the hoggle leaf based cottage industry as a source of income. These people used to make a living by collecting these naturally grown aquatic plants, drying them in the sun and selling them in the local market. Hoggle leaves were bought from the market and used in village fences, huts, crop fields, tents and crop baskets. The women of the village used to separate the soft and soft leaves as a source of additional income and use them to make various daily necessities including mats, hand fans, prayer mats, cushions, baskets, hats and baskets and sell them in the market. These products were also seen to be used by many people in the city.
It is known that this aquatic plant called hoggle leaves grows mainly in the earthen soil of coastal areas. It grows more in light waterlogged areas on the banks of rivers, canals and khals. It is about 5 to 12 feet in length. When 1 to 2 inch rows of leaves grow together, a captivating green environment is created. Shortly after growing, flowers are born in this aquatic plant. And from this flower is made a kind of powder which is nutritious. It is also used as a delicacy ingredient.
According to the farmers, this plant grows in the months of Ashar and Shravan. In addition to using this leaf for various daily necessities, it can be collected from its flowers and sold in the market. The price of powder collected from hoggle flowers is about Taka 60 to 80 per kg. It is used to make various delicacies including pitha-payes. A type of cake made with hoggle flower powder is quite popular here.
A shopper who came to Bhabaniganj Bazar in Sadar Upazila said, ‘Hoggle leaves cover a large part of our tradition. For generations we have used this leaf for various purposes. The housewives of our house still make a variety of things in the housework, including making different designs of rugs, hand fans, skewers. '
According to a vendor in the market, they sell a bundle or a bunch of hoggle leaves at 600-700. They make little profit.
According to local environmentalists, the hoggle leaf-based handicraft industry is on the verge of collapse due to the current market for environmentally harmful plastic products. Their idea is that if initiatives are taken at the government level, it is possible to market hoggle leaves and its powder all over the country. Moreover, they think that more foreign income can be earned if the cottage industries dependent on hoggle leaves get patronage.
District Plant Protection Officer ATM Khorshed Alam said that the powders made from the flowers of hoggla leaves are the stems of hoggle. It is bright yellow in color. This powder is a very nutritious and delicious food.
He also said that if initiatives are taken at the government level, it is possible to market hoggle leaf products and its powder all over the country and abroad.