Bamboo policy soon for state

Patna: Deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi on Saturday announced that a “bamboo policy” will be made for the state and the government will send farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs to north-eastern states for training in bamboo cultivation as well as industries.

“We will constitute a task force and formulate a bamboo policy for Bihar. The farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs will be sent from here to Assam, Tripura and Mizoram for studies and training in bamboo cultivation, product manufacturing and establishing industries dependent on it,” Sushil said.

The deputy chief minister was speaking at the inaugural session of a “bamboo conclave” organised for the first time by the state environment and forest department in Patna. Union minister for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) Giriraj Singh and state agriculture minister Prem Kumar were also present on the occasion.

Sushil added that a “bamboo tissue culture laboratory” will be established in Araria district to provide skill development and training in bamboo cultivation to farmers.

The deputy chief minister added that the National Bamboo Mission, run by the central government, will be separated from the agriculture department in the state, and will be implemented by the environment and forest department on the lines of horticulture.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed bamboo as ‘green gold’ and has provisioned Rs 1,290 crore for the entire country for financial years 2018-19 and 2019-20 under National Bamboo Mission. The money will be used for bamboo plantation in 1 lakh hectares to benefit 1 lakh farmers,” Sushil said.

Sushil also thanked the Prime Minister for shifting bamboo from “tree” to ‘grass’ category so that farmers don’t face any difficulties in cutting, transporting and selling it.

Bihar’s first bamboo tissue culture lab is in Bhagalpur and Sushil said that its annual capacity will be raised from 1.5 lakh seedlings to 3-5 lakh seedlings per annum, while another tissue culture lab will start functioning in Supaul district. The capacity of the tissue culture lab being established at Araria will be raised to 8-10 lakh seedlings in a phased manner. “Bamboo is the poor man’s timber. It is a boon for flood-prone areas to stop soil erosion and gives much oxygen. Farmers could cultivate bamboo and reap benefits for 120 years continuously,” Sushil said.

The state government has decided to encourage bamboo cultivation in Kosi region, Bhagalpur and Purnea districts.

Courtesy: The Telegraph