KVIC proposes lifting of “Export Prohibition” on Bamboo Charcoal for Higher Profitability of Bamboo Industry

What is the News?

Khadi and Village Industries Commission(KVIC) has urged the Government to lift the “export prohibition” on bamboo charcoal for optimum utilization of raw bamboo and higher profitability in the bamboo industry.

About Bamboo waste in India

In India, bamboo is mostly used in the manufacturing of Agarbatti. Around 16% (upper layers of the bamboo) is used for manufacturing bamboo sticks. However, the remaining 84% of bamboo is discarded as waste.

The Bamboo waste generated in Agarbatti and bamboo craft industries is not being utilized commercially. Hence, the bamboo input cost for round bamboo sticks is very high compared to countries like China.

How can Bamboo waste be effectively utilized?

Bamboo waste can be best utilized by making “Bamboo Charcoal” which has very limited use within the domestic market, but it is hugely in demand in the international market. 

Bamboo Charcoal is used for barbeque, soil nutrition and as a raw material for manufacturing activated charcoal. However, the Government of India has prohibited the export of Bamboo Charcoal.

What has KVIC urged the Government?

KVIC has urged the Government to lift the “export prohibition” on bamboo charcoal. This is because one of the biggest challenges that the Indian bamboo industry faces is the extremely high input cost owing to the inadequate utilization of bamboo. 

Hence, the export of bamboo charcoal would ensure complete utilization of the bamboo waste and thus make the bamboo business more profitable.

Source: This post is based on the article “KVIC proposes lifting of “Export Prohibition” on Bamboo Charcoal for Higher Profitability of Bamboo Industry” published in PIB on 28th February 2022.