Central govt putting in due diligence in developing bamboo sector: Agriculture Minister

• 26, Feb 2021

Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has said that the Central Government is putting in due diligence in developing the bamboo sector. He said, bamboo can be a key crop to double farmers’ income, enhance employment opportunities and improve the livelihood of the people, especially in the North East region.  Mr Tomar was virtually addressing the inaugural session of National Consultation on Opportunities and Challenges for Bamboo in India yesterday.
 
The two-day long Manthan on Bamboo sector is jointly organized by National Bamboo Mission, NITI Aayog and Invest India. The Agriculture Minister also emphasized the formation of Farmers Producer Organizations-FPOs to encourage small and marginal farmers for taking up bamboo plantation. He said, it will ensure hand-holding of the groups for providing correct procedures for raising nurseries and plantations. He urged the states to send proposals for the formation of FPOs for the bamboo sector.
 
Talking about the achievements in the bamboo sector, the Minister said that commercially important bamboos have been planted in an area of 15 thousand hectares in the last three years. He added that to ensure Quality Planting Materials supply to the farmers, 329 nurseries were set up under the National Bamboo Mission. Seventy nine bamboo markets have also been set up under the mission.
 
On the occasion, Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Nitin Gadkari said, to transform the the bamboo sector, it is very important to explore big investments and industry. He appreciated the works being done by the National Bamboo Mission. He said that Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare and MSME Ministry should work together for greater progress for bamboo in India.

Sources : News on AIR