Bamboo Cultivation- Conditions & Uses

Recently, National Symposium on Bamboo was held by Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and lndustree Foundation.

About Bamboo:

• Bamboo is a versatile, fast-growing plant that belongs to the Poaceae, or true grass family.
• Known for being one of the fastest-growing plants in the world, bamboo can increase in height by up to 60 cm per day under optimal soil and climatic conditions.
• This remarkable growth is attributed to its unique rhizome-dependent system, which allows rapid regeneration and spread.
• These plants are predominantly evergreen and perennial flowering species.
• With more than 1,400 species spread across over 70 genera, bamboo showcases a significant biodiversity.
• The internodal regions of the bamboo stem are characteristically hollow, and the cross-section reveals scattered vascular bundles.
• Unlike typical trees, bamboo stems are columnar rather than tapered, as they lack secondary-growth wood.
• Bamboo thrives in a variety of climates, from cold mountains to hot tropical regions.
• Its geographic distribution is extensive, found in East Asia with its range stretching from 50°N latitude in Sakhalin down to northern Australia, and extending west to the Himalayas.
• The plant also grows in sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, and India.
• The practical uses of bamboo are diverse. It serves as a critical source of building materials and is also used in food products, art, and crafts.
• In regions like East and Southeast Asia, bamboo is not only a cultural icon but also a pivotal economic resource.
• Commercial bamboo farming is expanding into new regions, including attempts in the Great Lakes region of eastern-central Africa, predominantly Rwanda.

Ref: Source

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)