ASIDE from being an alternative for wood for the production of handicraft and furniture, and construction of houses, bamboo can also be an alternative crop which has a potential soil-trapping capability.
Particularly, the roots of the giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) can efficiently absorb excess water and bind the soil together, thus reducing erosion.
The giant bamboo is also one of the fastest growing plants in the world – with an average reported growth of 3 to 10 centimeters per day, and can even grow to as much as 100 centimeters in about 24 hours, depending, of course, on the local soil and climate conditions.
Bamboo, which releases more oxygen than trees, will also help stabilize riverbanks, regulate watersheds, protect against soil erosion, and recycle water nutrients.
Aside from being a fast grower, one- to two-year-old giant bamboos are already available for the manufacture of handicrafts, which require pliable bamboo splits, thus, livelihood opportunities could start early for the members of a community.
During the initial four years, bamboo can be a complementary crop which could fill a target market, rather than a cash crop.
But after this initial stage and beyond, profitable sustainable yields could already be attainable without additional expenses for replanting.
At present, the high demand for bamboo is brought about by the scarcity of wood due to the depletion of timber resources and the strict implementation of Executive Order No. 23 that bans logging in natural forest.
But the increasing interest in bamboo as wood alternative can lead to overharvesting, material wastage, and other unsustainable practices.
With the growing status of bamboo, there is a need to strengthen capacity for operating the whole business of producing, harvesting, processing, and marketing of the said crop while ensuring the sustainability of its resources and the enterprises which depend on it.
Citing the importance of bamboo, the Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) conducted a training-workshop.
At least 27 participants representing different agencies and bamboo farm owners from various regions attended the five-day training workshop titled “Sustainable Small and Medium-Scale Bamboo Enterprises for the Green Economy.”
During the training-workshop, the facilitators imparted to the participants various skills and techniques in establishing and marketing sustainable bamboo enterprises through lectures and hands-on training about nursery establishment and bamboo plantation development, bamboo innovations for entrepreneurship, and marketing of bamboo-based products, among others.
The training-workshop provided the participants with new knowledge on the production of various bamboo products such as charcoal, musical instruments, furniture, wood carvings, and even food from bamboo shoots.
On the other hand, participants from the private sector appreciated the training course due to the topics about marketing and cost-benefit analysis of bamboo-based products.
In support of PCAARRD’s capability building and R&D governance banner program, the training-workshop aimed to provide the participants knowledge on the use of bamboo for its various products, while sustaining our bamboo resources for a greener economy./PN
