In Jorhat, Assam, Prabhat Saikia has spent years turning bamboo and cane into furniture, decorative pieces and other useful products. Since starting his handicraft unit in 2006, Saikia has helped create livelihood opportunities for around 20 young artisans, offering them a chance to earn locally while preserving traditional craft skills. His work also demonstrates how a familiar natural resource can support small businesses and connect local craftsmanship with wider markets.
From a Familiar Plant to Finished Products
Bamboo has long been part of everyday life in Assam and other parts of Northeast India. Used in household items, construction and traditional crafts, the plant can be shaped into a wide range of products depending on its variety, preparation and treatment.
At Saikia’s workshop in Jorhat, bamboo and cane are transformed into furniture and decorative pieces. The work requires practical knowledge of the material, careful preparation and skilled craftsmanship to turn raw bamboo into finished products that are functional and suitable for different spaces.
Beyond smaller household products, bamboo can also be used in furniture, cottages and architectural settings. These applications show how traditional materials can be adapted for contemporary needs while retaining their connection to local craft practices.
Saikia’s enterprise brings together this knowledge and the work of young artisans who contribute to the production process. For them, the workshop provides an opportunity to develop skills and earn an income without necessarily having to leave their hometown in search of employment.
Learning to Make Bamboo More Durable
One of the challenges of working with bamboo is ensuring that finished products remain durable. The material needs appropriate preparation and treatment before it can be used in products expected to last.
Saikia trained in bamboo treatment techniques with the Rainforest Research Institute in Jorhat. Learning these methods helped him understand how bamboo could be treated to improve its durability and suitability for different applications.
Treatment and preservation are important parts of developing bamboo-based enterprises. Without suitable processing, products can face limitations in their lifespan and use. Better preparation can help artisans produce items that meet the needs of customers and compete in wider markets.
For small craft businesses, technical knowledge can therefore be as important as traditional skills. Combining craftsmanship with appropriate treatment methods can help improve product quality and expand the range of possible uses.
Taking Assam’s Craftsmanship Beyond Local Markets
Saikia’s furniture has reached markets beyond Assam, extending the reach of the work produced by his unit. He has also participated in international workshops in Nepal, providing opportunities to engage with people working in related fields.
Such exposure can help artisans and entrepreneurs learn about different approaches to design, production and the use of bamboo. For businesses rooted in traditional crafts, reaching new markets can create opportunities to sustain production and support the people involved in it.
The broader bamboo sector in India is also receiving institutional support. According to the Press Information Bureau, under the restructured National Bamboo Mission, 528 product-development and processing units and 104 treatment and preservation units had been established as of December 31, 2024. These figures reflect efforts to strengthen bamboo processing and encourage value addition.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Prabhat Saikia’s journey highlights how traditional skills can create livelihood opportunities when combined with entrepreneurship, technical training and access to wider markets. His bamboo-and-cane unit in Jorhat is not only a place where everyday products are made but also a source of work for around 20 young artisans.
However, sustaining such enterprises requires more than access to raw materials. Training, appropriate treatment methods, product development and reliable markets can all influence whether small craft businesses remain viable over time.
Bamboo-based craftsmanship offers a way to connect local knowledge with changing consumer needs. Supporting artisans and strengthening the systems around their work can help preserve traditional skills while creating opportunities for future generations. Saikia’s experience illustrates how a resource deeply rooted in everyday life can also become the foundation for livelihoods and a growing craft enterprise.
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