Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
in production and rise in human population, the gap between supply and
demand is going to be larger stressed that in India the demand for bam-
boo planting stocks are 90-120 million per annum, which is expected to
increase to up to 300 million seedlings per annum. Large-scale cultivation
is the only way to prevent further depletion of bamboo resource, and to en-
sure a regular and sustained supply of raw material for growing industrial
uses. This situation elucidates the need for increase in bamboo production.
Due attention on raising bamboo plantation under various programs has
not been paid so far. Now farmers and villagers need to be involved in
bamboo cultivation/production. Apart from protecting natural vegetation
of bamboos, the activity has to be brought to the non-forestlands.
However, there is a low awareness regarding the potential of bamboo
and associated products among users and even other stakeholders includ-
ing the government. The locals in the region use it for everyday uses, but
they are not aware of the economical, commercial and industrial applica-
tions of bamboo. The database available with the Indian Council of For-
estry Research and Education (ICFRE) reflects that 18 million hectares of
world is covered by Bamboo. In India, approximately 10 million hectares
of area is covered by Bamboo out of which 28% is in the NER. There are
more than 125 species belonging to 23 genera of bamboos found in India.
Out of this, only 30 species are commercially important. They grow natu-
rally up to 3500 m above mean sea level. Around 66% of India's bamboo
resources exist in NER and hence, the potentialities.
14.3
INDUSTRIAL OUTLOOK OF BAMBOO
The requirement of “bamboo wood” for multiple uses by the industries
and the common man will definitely increase in far greater dimensions. In
India, the total demand of various bamboo-consuming sectors is estimated
at 26.9 million tons. The estimated supply is only 13.47 million tons, that
is, only half of the total demand. The pulp and paper industry, construc-
tion, cottage industry and handloom, food, fuel, fodder and medicine an-
nually consume about 13.4 million tons of bamboo amounting to Rs.2042
crores. Demand of bamboo for industrial use is met from state owned for-
ests, while for non-industrial purpose it comes from private as well as
state owned resources. Keeping abreast of versatility of bamboo uses and
its potential to build up the rural economy, Government of India launched
