Benefits of Bamboo cultivation for India

Source: This post ‘Benefits of Bamboo cultivation for India’, is based on the article Bamboo as food, fuel, and timber, published in Business Standard on 19^th August 2024.

UPSC Syllabus topic: GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy – Crops and cropping patterns in India

Context: Bamboo, often referred to as the “poor man’s timber,” has transformed into a lucrative crop for Indian farmers, now being recognized as “green gold.” With modern agronomic practices, bamboo cultivation is proving more profitable than traditionally lucrative crops like sugarcane and cotton.

Bamboo farming is rapidly spreading beyond its traditional Northeastern habitat to regions like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Western Ghats, and Gujarat.

Present status of bamboo cultivation in India

1) The land under bamboo cultivation is estimated at over 15.70 million hectares, with the Northeastern zone holding about 50% of the country’s bamboo resources.

2) India boasts 136 documented native species of bamboo and produces approximately 3.23 million tonnes annually, underscoring its importance as a versatile and valuable plant.

3) NITI Aayog projects the global bamboo market to reach around $98.3 billion by 2025. As the world’s second-largest bamboo producer after China, India is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this market.

What are the Legal and Agricultural Reforms Boosting Bamboo Cultivation?

Amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 2017: The reclassification of bamboo from “tree” to “grass” under this amendment removed various restrictions on its harvesting, transportation, and sale, making bamboo cultivation more accessible to farmers.

National Bamboo Mission: This shift has been supported by government initiatives like the National Bamboo Mission and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, which aim to promote bamboo farming across the country. These initiatives focus on encouraging the use of bamboo as a sustainable alternative to wood, and on developing a value chain for bamboo production, marketing, and export.

Economic Incentives: Maharashtra is expanding bamboo farming, offering financial incentives ~7 lakh per hectare.

What are the Environmental and Economic Benefits of Bamboo cultivation?

Environmental Impact: Bamboo is a highly efficient carbon dioxide converter, producing 35% more oxygen than most plants and growing up to 90 cm per day, making it an excellent biomass producer.

Economic benefits: High-yielding varieties like “Beema Bamboo” offer significant profit potential, with growers earning a net annual profit of ₹75,000-80,000 per hectare, making bamboo one of the most profitable crops in India.

Health benefits: Bamboo based foods are deemed healthy because these are rich in fiber and low in calories. Some parts of bamboo plants, including their roots, are believed to have therapeutic traits and are used in the traditional health care systems in the Northeast

Energy: Bamboo can be converted into biofuels like ethanol or pulped to produce paper. It is also widely used in construction as an alternative to wood and for making scaffoldings, thanks to its strength, resilience, and flexibility.