Union Minister for Agriculture Narendra Singh Tomar on Tuesday inaugurated 22 bamboo clusters in 9 states including Assam, Nagaland and Tripura. The inauguration was done in virtual mode. On the occasion, a logo for the National Bamboo Mission was also released.
Praising the success of the National Bamboo Mission, the Minister said that the country is now gearing up to increase the export of bamboo products.
The restructured National Bamboo Mission was launched in 2018-19 for holistic development of the complete value chain of the sector. The Mission is being implemented in a hub (industry) and spoke model, with the main goal of connecting farmers to markets so as to enable farmer producers to get a ready market for the bamboo grown and to increase supply of appropriate raw material to domestic industry.
The bamboo ecosystem has been energized with 23 States being assisted, including all the 8 States of North East. 10 most important species which are required by industry have been identified and quality planting material is being made available to farmers for plantations. Assam has already engaged FPOs for raising plantations.
These will be engaged in raising nurseries and plantations and/or product development like furniture, agarbatti, venetian blinds, chopsticks, toothbrush, lifestyle products, jewellery, bottles, yoga mat, charcoal, etc. Together with industrial products, the National Bamboo Mission also endeavors to upgrade skills of traditional bamboo craftsmen as per requirement of contemporary markets with tie up with enterprises and premier institutes so that our cultural heritage is continued.
Do read about different uses of Bamboo in Northeast India here.
