National Bamboo Mission

Why is in news? Centre approves formation of Advisory Group for streamlining development of Bamboo sector

The inter-ministerial and public-private consultation is envisaged to help revamp the developmental architecture of the sector by incorporating synergy between all the sections related to the bamboo value chain.

Bamboo is a versatile group of plants which is capable of providing ecological, economic and livelihood security to the people.

Till recently, it has remained confined to the forests (12.8% of forest cover); two third of the growing stock located in the North-Eastern States.

Importance of the crop as a source of raw material for industrial and domestic use with its growing demand all over the country necessitated its cultivation in farm lands as well.

The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme called Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in which National Bamboo Mission (NBM) is being implemented as a sub scheme.

The Mission envisages promoting holistic growth of bamboo sector by adopting area-based, regionally differentiated strategy and to increase the area under bamboo cultivation and marketing.

Under the Mission, steps have been taken to increase the availability of quality planting material by supporting the setting up of new nurseries and strengthening of existing ones.

To address forward integration, the Mission is taking steps to strengthen marketing of bamboo products, especially those of handicraft items.

States/ districts covered:

The Mission will focus on development of bamboo in limited States where it has social, commercial and economical advantage, particularly in the North Eastern region and States including Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

Objectives:

To promote the growth of the bamboo sector through as an area based regionally differentiated strategy;

To increase the coverage of area under bamboo in potential areas, with improved varieties to enhance yields;

To promote marketing of bamboo and bamboo based handicrafts;

To establish convergence and synergy among stake-holders for the development of bamboo;

To promote, develop and disseminate technologies through a seamless blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge.

To generate employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled persons, especially unemployed youths.