Nagpur: The Maharashtra Government released bamboo planted in private land in Vidarbha and Marathwada from Transit Pass (TP) in 2017, but no takers for bamboo, also called ‘Gold Green’ for several years.
However, in the past three years, more than 5,800 beneficiaries throughout the state have planted bamboo in more than 6,500 hectares and such revolutions in unity with more in vidarbha for bamboo cultivation other than conventional plants.
Maharashtra Bamboo Development Board (MBDB) Managing Director M Srinivasa Rao said, “The council provides seeds and technical assistance to farmers through a circle level coordinator.
Aurangabad has led with plantations in 600 hectares.
In 2019-20, below the National Bamboo Mission (NBM) , there are more than 4,800 beneficiaries and under Samruddhi Yojana more than 1,000 benefit.
“Many progressive farmers in Vidarbha are now advancing to grow bamboo.
There are shining examples such as Ramesh Dumphre, Umred, and Youngsters such as Gaurav Charde, Sanket Charde and Shriya Sutone, Wardha.
The young people quit their company’s work not only contributed to nature but also help marginal farmers grow bamboo in their land which is underutilized.
Charde and others have found new possibilities and recognizes space for sustainable development in bamboo plantations after being guided by experts such as Anand Fiske and Anand Kamde.
The trio forms a Wena farmer producer company, which plays an important role in post-harvest techniques, from nurseries to bamboo cultivation, harvest, industry and marketing.
Started in June 2020, Wena mostly worked in Wardha and Hingangphat.
According to Charde, they have educated more than 100 farmers to grow bamboo in their empty fields.
“Our main focus is on manufacturing essence sticks, bio-diesel and activated carbon bamboo.
We have planted bamboo in 55 hectares and plans to expand it to 400 hectares.
We will buy bamboo from these farmers for our unit,” Charde said.
Dumphre is used to take conventional plants such as Chana, wheat and cotton, but because of its agriculture close to the river, the results that were once damaged or washed away.
“This forced me to think outside the box and after many studies in 2018 I risked planting bamboo in 17 hectares and nilgiri on 3 hectares,” Dumphre said.
He said the cost of Rs70,000 to plant bamboo per hectare “but it is a one-time investment”.
“The species that I planted will continue to provide results up to 60-70 years.
I will sell products to make stick makers, paper and sawmills,” Dumphre said and added he also planned to start a unit.
“I’m very optimistic about the bamboo sector and appealed farmers to do it in a big way,” he said.
Even Dr.
Vijay Ilorkar, senior scientist and head, the Department of Agro-Forestry, PDKV, who guided many farmers, admitted that the TP withdrawal was a turning point.
“Vidarbha is heading for the current bamboo revolution.
Conventional bamboo in forests grew up to 2 tons per hectare but in our study at 25-30 species, there were of results between 12-50 tons per hectare.
Bamboo has demand for fruit gardens, paper mills, fuel , furniture, et al handicrafts, “he said.
“As a sustainable investment, the scientific and holistic approach that is planned for bamboo cultivation and management can be an inexhaustible source of goods and services, creating employment opportunities for farmers and workers in small and medium enterprises.
This can help alleviate poverty and economic rejuvenation Rustic and overall economic development of the country, “said Neelam Chhiber, founder, the Industree Foundation working in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
Bright future * bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world * bamboo absorbs carbon dioxide and can produce oxygen up to 35% more than trees * does not require chemicals, pesticides, fertilizer or water to grow * bamboo improves soil quality * Known as a Chinese symbol for strength, bamboo represents growth and resilience * The Indian government has created a NBM to increase bamboo plantations and promote product development to be in accordance with market demand * India only contributed 2% of the world bamboo supply.
China, Vietnam, Thailand has most of the export of bamboo * India recently stated bamboo as a ‘grass’ of ‘wood’.
This means that it can be planted for harvesting * bamboo due to harvest within 4-5 years after the plantation compared to softwood or hardwood which takes 30-80 years * Promoting bamboo plantations can help export products throughout the world and help the overall economy country