Uttarakhand, the land of temples, abode of Lord Shiva and Guru Gobind Singh alike, is now all set to pioneer bamboo agroforestry, due to its unique geographical location, stretches of well drained alluvial soil in the Terai belt and abundance of water- both, ground and rain.
The recently revised bamboo policy, with its de-classification as a timber (erstwhile) to its correct botanical classification of a"Grass", offers a window of opportunity for bamboo based enterprise. Government is thus focusing on developing bamboo based industry clusters, in areas endemic to bamboo, where, Uttarakhand fits the bill very well.
The task may seem Herculean, but it is surely possible to create Bamboo Based Clusters of Industry in the state of Uttarakhand, and to my mind we will need to focus on the following areas.
First, and the foremost is the task of Identification of suitable varieties/genotypes, endemic to our agro-climate, with a sound knowledge of its applications and industrial uses.
Annual Planting Targets and plant production- will need to be variety specific, and Nursery works will need to be synchronized with the planting targets. To my mind, Nursery works will need to precede plantation date, by at least 2 years- AND THAT TOO, within the same agro-climatic zone. Getting Plants from a distance is a messy and cost intensive affair, not to mention the transit damage, and the issue of acclimatization. Survival rate of rhizomes is lot better than cuttings or TC. We need to ensure that a healthy plant, duly domesticated and hardened, with good sized rhizome reaches the field. Planting Schedules will need to be optimized- and Nursery production geared up to provide plants at the RIGHT TIME. Many a times we find TC or even VP plants, with just a semblance of a root, brought from cross country ( from another agro-climatic zone, thus neither domesticated or acclimatized, nor hardened ) and planted out in the field, resulting in near total wipe out.
Target planting time should be early spring, where irrigation is available, or onset of monsoons, where it is rain-fed.
For enterprise based cultivation and extension, excellent clones have been developed by FRI and GBPUAT, amongst other regional Institutes. Farmers/growers/Nurserymen must try to procure these elite and young clones (flowering cycles) - namely, Balcooa, Nutaans, Oliverii and Stocksii for the plains and Hamiltonii for the hills. Each of the above elite clones has specific applications, so a judicious selection needs to be done, for choice of planting material.
We will, simultaneously need to set up a pilot unit( s )- ( both, for agro-forestry as well as value addition endeavors )-Under the helmsman-ship of Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, with regional centers at various state agricultural universities, including GBPUAT- so that farmers get acquainted with bamboo as a crop. Some farmers, who pioneered undertaking bamboo agroforestry earlier, did not have a pleasant experience because of lack of proper markets at that point of time, when bamboo was still a regulated commodity. In light of the de-regulation, and prospects of bamboo industry coming up- we would have to do the confidence building exercise- where FRI, GBPUAT and other Universities/Institutions will need to show the way and bear the Olympian torch- for both aspects of Industry development- agriculture/agro-forestry (the source of raw material) and value-addition (product development and marketing). FRI, GBPUAT and other Universities, will perhaps, need to liaise with lead institutions like NID, IPRITI etc. to evolve suitable products and suitable markets.
Package of Practices - Farmers will need to be educated to produce marketable bamboo- in terms of quality. Thus, training and cultivation of requisite skill sets amongst farmers is of imminence. Color Coding, Pruning, Fire Protection etc. are some of the ethics that will need to be included in any protocol of package of practices for bamboo agro-forestry
Maybe, a buy-back rate could also be fixed to build up confidence of the farmers.
Identification of Target Industries- Identification of variety specific applications, will need to be done. Dialogue with target industries will need to be initiated, inviting them to set up shop close to the source, once critical mass in terms of acreage is created.
We will need to research bamboo utilization in paper industry, and work on developing linkages between farmers and the paper units ( for example Century in Lal Kuan). I believe, bamboo requires a different production line, so Century will only do so, if it is assured of sustainable supply of bamboo.
There are pockets of Bengali and Bihari immigrants /migrants in Uttarakhand, where weaving clusters could be developed. The native art of weaving existed, but died a natural death because of paucity of bamboo, due to forest restrictions. In light of the revision of Bamboo Policy, there is every likelihood of bamboo being available. We will probably need to establish weavers clusters and nurture them, till they can sustain themselves. Nutaans is specifically suited for basketry and mat making.
Construction industry- Fully solid or thick walled species have a great utilization in the construction industry- may it be the scaffolding, or cheap housing. Balcooa and Lower part of Nutaans fit the bill.
Hand Made Paper could also be made.
Furniture- Industry- requires specialty bamboo- and Uttarakhand could follow suit. Oliverii and stocksii are very suitable for this application.
Energy and Charcoal- I have been following this topic but I gather bamboo based ethanol or bamboo based briquettes are not economical, as compared to other sources of fuel. Hopefully I am wrong !!!!!
Stick making for Agarbatti ( Incense Sticks) Industry - This avenue needs to be researched deeply. Nutaans and Tulda are very suitable for this segment.
Logistics-paperwork for Inter-state movement of bamboo- There is still a lot of confusion amongst farmers, with regards to inter-state transportation of bamboo. Though, its been reiterated , post de-regulation, that the "permit-regime" has been archived, but there are still loop-holes, probably because of lack of understanding of the ordinance, or else, lack of will for proper implementation.
Farmers undertaking bamboo as a crop- would need to have it duly registered in their land records (khasra). This document is said to be a valid proof of origin of bamboo on private land.
To encourage extension and emergence of bamboo based enterprise, the Government could relax the Land Ceiling Slabs for bamboo agroforestry. It could be on the lines of the Tea Industry- where land is attached to the production Unit, and the ceiling is lifted. Its classified as an Industry. A similar scheme could be devised to encourage bamboo entrepreneurship.
A collective effort is imminent to make this Bamboo Mission a reality.
