Govt drafts scheme to promote bamboo based handicrafts

13 Mar '07

2 min read

The Department of Agriculture & Cooperation has launched a programme on National Bamboo Mission in the country during 2006-07 to enhance the production and productivity of bamboo. The Mission aims at:

• Promoting the growth of the bamboo sector through an area based regionally differentiated strategy;
• Increasing the coverage of area under bamboo in potential areas, with improved varieties to enhance yields;
• Promoting marketing of bamboo and bamboo based handicrafts;
• Establishing convergence and synergy among stake-holders for the development of bamboo;
• Promoting, developing and disseminating technologies through a seamless blend of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge.
• Generating employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled persons, especially unemployed youths.

The proposed bamboo plantation activities under the Mission would generate about 50.4 million man days of work. In the nursery sector, total estimated employment to be generated every year will be around 9.7 lakh man days. Besides this, there will be employment generation in both skilled and unskilled segments in the handicraft sector.

The proposed scheme is environment-friendly and economically viable in nature. The project proposals submitted by the State Governments for financial assistance under the Mission during 2006-07 are under consideration of the Department of Agriculture & Cooperation.

At present, Bamboo is being cultivated in 89575 sq.km in the country. This information was given in the Lok Sabha by Shri Kanti Lal Bhuria, Minister of State for Agriculture in a written reply.

Press Information Bureau

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