A three-day international conference on bamboo production and marketing began here today with a call to harness the potential of this extra- ordinary plant.

Shri Reghupathy spoke about the immense potential of bamboo in improving livelihood of forest dwellers and generating employment.

Emphasizing that bamboo production helps environment, Dr. Mangala Rai, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR stated that bamboo is the fastest growing plant on this planet and provides the best canopy for the greening of degraded lands. Some species of Bamboo grow as much as 4 feet a day. Its stands release 35% more oxygen than equivalent stands of trees. Bamboo can also lower light intensity and protects against ultraviolet rays. He further delineated that bamboo is harvested and replenished with no impact to the environment. It can be selectively harvested annually and is capable of complete regeneration without need to replant. Bamboo is an enduring natural resource and provides income, food, and housing to over 2.2 billion people worldwide, Dr. Rai said.

Dr. P.K. Mishra, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation gave details of the progress made by the National Bamboo Mission in the last one year. The Mission has been successful in promoting bamboo, especially in the North East, and generating employment for skilled and unskilled youth. The Mission , he said, has developed specific strategies for different regions. It is promoting bamboo related activities in different spheres, namely, research and development, new bamboo plantations, establishment of nurseries, rejuvenation of old plantations, disease and pest management, bamboo marketing and export. Dr. Mishra also stated that improved technologies for bamboo production and processing are available in many countries and India can benefit from them.

Dr. Hoogendoorn expressed concern at loss of diversity and lack of standardization and training in bamboo processing at community level. She gave examples of how bamboo plantation is helping in improving incomes of farmers in many countries including India .

Scientists and experts from 35 countries, farmers, entrepreneurs, NGOs and Central and State Government representatives are participating in the conference.

Titled ‘Improvement of Bamboo Productivity & Marketing for Sustainable Livelihood', the conference is focussing on improving productivity of bamboo and issues relating to marketing of bamboo products.

(PR Unit/April/2008)