14^th August, 2020, Baramati

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Baramati, Pune - I, Maharashtra in association with the Maharashtra Bamboo Development Board, Nagpur, Maharashtra organized a Webinar on “Promoting Bamboo Cultivation for Bamboo-based Industries in Maharashtra” in the rural areas at the farmers’ fields today.

The Chief Guest, Dr. Lakhan Singh, Director, ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra highlighted the Bamboo cultivation’s vital role in social, economic and ecological development. Dr. Singh accentuated on the great potential of the Bamboo to capture and store carbon. He urged the KVKs to focus on creating nursery to provide quality seedlings and create blocks of different bamboo species. He stressed on linking the growers with the Bamboo industries. Citing the example of Shri Ganesh Ambhore, a farmer of Jalna District who raised 12 acres Bamboo, emphasized on having an income of Rs. 1.5 Lacs per acre after 4 years.

Dr. T.S.K. Reddy, Managing Director, Maharashtra Bamboo Development Board, Nagpur, Maharashtra briefed about the Bamboo’s importance, its cultivation practices and different Bamboo Schemes including Atal Bamboo Samrudhi Yojana and National Bamboo Mission. He stressed on providing the better tissue culture saplings, expanding areas under Bamboo and enhancing farmers’ income. He also highlighted the different livelihood options including agarbatti making, rakhi making, clothes making, paper industry, furniture, plywood, baskets, etc.

Shri Mule, Director, Agricultural Technology Management Agency, Maharashtra accentuated the market led extension, cultivation of Bamboo on farm borders and banks of rivers. He also stressed on the need to decide District-wise strategy for Bamboo cultivation.

Dr. Syed Shakir Ali, Head, KVK, Baramati, Maharashtra outlined the planning of cluster demonstrations and work done on Bamboo cultivation by the KVK on 1,000 acres area. He urged to join hands for promoting Bamboo in a mission mode.

A total of 85 participants participated in the Webinar.

(Source: ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra)