The Bijoypur Rudrapal Pottery Cooperative Society in Comilla Sadar Dakshin, Bangladesh, has expanded its traditional pottery production to international markets, exporting terracotta items to the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. Established in 1961 as Progoti Sangha with only 15 members, the cooperative was renamed under the guidance of Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan. After being destroyed in 1971, it was revived in 1972 with government financial support. Today, around 150 families across seven villages are engaged in pottery, with 50 families directly involved in the cooperative.

The cooperative’s assets are now valued at about 10 crore taka. However, production has been hampered since 2015 due to a severe gas shortage, forcing artisans to revert to traditional firing methods using clay, wood, straw, and paper. This has increased costs and reduced profits, leaving workers with monthly wages between 6,000 and 8,000 taka. Despite these challenges, both men and women continue to produce a wide range of terracotta goods, including household utensils, decorative pieces, and cultural models.

The cooperative’s craftsmanship sustains a long-standing heritage while contributing to rural livelihoods and Bangladesh’s export earnings.