According to Mr. Le Thanh Tai - Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Dong Thanh Commune, An Minh District (Kien Giang), the profession of making cement rollers in Thanh Tien hamlet has been over 18 years. Many households have been handed down the profession by the previous generation, some families have 3 generations of making cement rollers. Cement making helps many households in Thanh Tien hamlet to develop their economy.
To make a complete cement roller, it has to go through many stages such as mixing raw materials, bowling cement, pouring oil ..., each worker must know the steps and be skillful to make quality products.
With over 15 years of experience in making cement rollers, Mr. Trinh Van Thao, living in Thanh Tien hamlet, Dong Thanh commune, said: "To create two cement jars, it takes about 4 bags of cement, about half a block of sand and rock. In the process of making cement rollers, the most important thing is to put the bottom of the roller in a position with a flat ground, otherwise the bottom of the roller will be easily cracked and unusable.
Mr. Nguyen Duy Linh, living in Thanh Tien hamlet, Dong Thanh commune, An Minh district (Kien Giang) pry open the lid to get the mold after the cement jar is dried.
The profession of making cement rollers does not require high technology, but workers need to be hard-working and meticulous with their work. According to Mr. Nguyen Duy Linh, living in Thanh Tien hamlet, Dong Thanh commune, his family has many years of making cement jars.
“My father learned the craft from my grandfather and passed it on. To this day, my father still does this job and opens a business selling cement rollers at home. I was taught by my father how to make a cement jar like a bowl of cement on a mold or to put the bottom of the jar in a suitable position; Since then, I have been following the profession until now,” said Linh.
Every month, Mr. Linh's cement roller production facility sells about 50-80 pieces to the market. The average monthly profit of the cement-making facility of Mr. Linh's family is 5-10 million dong. Cement making also creates more jobs for 1-2 local workers.
Mr. Trinh Van Thao, living in Thanh Tien hamlet, Dong Thanh commune, An Minh district (Kien Giang) inspects cement jars before delivering them to customers.
Currently, the cement industry is facing difficulties due to the increasing price of raw materials, and the consumption market is no longer abundant. Mr. Le Thanh Tai said: “Currently, Dong Thanh commune continues to pay attention and create conditions for Thanh Tien hamlet to develop the profession of making cement rollers; strive to develop the profession of making cement rollers into a craft village, both contributing to economic development and preserving the traditional craft. The commune is focusing on implementing a number of solutions such as establishing a cooperative group and a model of professional associations to help people reduce transportation costs, thereby increasing the income of cement-making households.
Articles and photos: THUY ANH
