Bamboo is a versatile plant group that can provide people with ecological, economic, and existential security. Until recently, it was confined to forests (12.8% of forest area). Two-thirds of the growing population is in the northeastern states. The importance of crops as a source of raw materials for industrial and household use has necessitated growing them on arable land as well, due to the growing demand nationwide.
To realize bamboo’s harvesting potential, the Ministry of Agriculture Cooperation (DAC), Ministry of Agriculture, and Farmer Welfare is running a 100% sponsored program called Mission for Integrated Horticulture Development (MIDH). NBM is implemented as a subschema. The National Bamboo Mission is a centrally funded program launched in 2006-2007 and subsequently incorporated into MIDH in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016.
This article will help you understand the goals and initiatives of the National Bamboo Mission by Govt. of India.
The mission is to promote the overall growth of the bamboo sector through region-based and regionally differentiated strategies to increase the area of bamboo cultivation and sales. As part of the mission, steps were taken to increase the availability of quality planting material by supporting the establishment of new nurseries and the strengthening of existing nurseries. To address forward integration, the mission is to take steps to strengthen the commercialization of bamboo products, especially handicrafts.
Table of Contents
- Objectives of the National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
- Initiatives under the National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
- States/ Districts covered in National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
- Strategies Adopted by National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
- National Bamboo Mission (NBM): Key Elements
- National Bamboo Mission (NBM): Benefits
- Video Explanation: Bamboo Farming in India
- Conclusion & Way Forward
- Various Sources
- Further Readings: Additional Resources
- FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Objectives of the National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was started with the following objectives:
- Promote the growth of the bamboo sector through area-based and regionally differentiated strategies.
- Increase bamboo acreage in areas with potential for improved varieties to increase yields.
- Promote the marketing of bamboo and bamboo crafts.
- Create convergence and synergy among stakeholders for bamboo development.
- Advancement, development, and dissemination of technology through a seamless fusion of traditional wisdom and modern scientific knowledge.
- Create employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers, especially unemployed youth.
National Bamboo Mission (NBM) has been extended to 2019-20. This expanded mission aims to ensure the overall development of the bamboo sector. It aims to create an effective link between industry and manufacturers. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the establishment of an executive committee that will utilize the guidelines of the National Bamboo Mission, including norms for conducting various interventions at regular intervals according to state needs and recommendations with permission from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Initiatives under the National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
The National Bamboo Mission was designed to promote holistic bamboo growth through the adoption of region-based and regionally differentiated strategies. It was also intended to increase the cultivation of bamboo in the area. As part of NBM, several steps have been taken to increase the availability of quality planting material. The initiative was carried out by establishing new kindergartens and strengthening existing ones. The National Bamboo Mission is also taking steps to strengthen the marketing of bamboo products, especially handicrafts.
States/ Districts covered in National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
This mission will focus on limited states in India, particularly Uttarakhand in Nort India, Bihar, Jharkhand in East India, North East Region, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh in Central India, Maharashtra in West India, and some southern regions of India. The state focuses on bamboo development in states such as Andhra Pradesh. Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala.
The mission is expected to establish approximately 4,000 processing/product development units and plant over 1,00,000 hectares of land in 2018-19 and 2019-20.
Strategies Adopted by National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
The NBM adopts the following strategies in order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives:
- We follow a coordinated approach involving production and marketing to ensure producers/growers have sufficient yields.
- Promotion of research and development (R&D) of varieties and technologies to improve productivity.
- Increased bamboo acreage (forest and non-forest areas) and productivity through cultivar rotation and improved farming practices.
- Foster partnerships, convergence, and synergies between public and private sector R&D and marketing institutions at all levels.
- Where appropriate, promote cooperatives and self-help groups to ensure support and fair returns for farmers.
- Create employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled workers, especially unemployed youth.
- Build structures at the national, state, and territory levels to ensure a fair return on farmers’ produce and eliminate middlemen wherever possible.
National Bamboo Mission (NBM): Key Elements
- R&D (Research & Development)
- Innovative Intervention
- Development in Plantation Infrastructure
- Area expansion under Bamboo
- Production of Material involved in Planting
- Existing Stock Improvement
- Pesticides & Disease management
- Creation of Water Resources
- Treatment Facilities & Post-harvest storage for Bamboo
- Establishment of Infrastructure for Marketing
National Bamboo Mission (NBM): Benefits
- The program will directly and indirectly benefit farmers, local artisans, and related individuals working in the bamboo sector, including related industries.
- The program envisions planting 1,00,000 hectares. This will directly benefit nearly 1,00,000 farmers on their plantations.
- This program will help reduce bamboo product imports and improve farmers’ incomes.
- Create a complete value chain for the growth of the bamboo sector.
Video Explanation: Bamboo Farming in India
Conclusion & Way Forward
To halt the pace of land degradation in the country, an intensive national program of bamboo plantations involving all stakeholders must be implemented beyond 2019-2020. The National Housing Plan (PMAY) requires the use of bamboo as a building material. Bamboo has been used in a variety of pioneering structural applications in the past, but it is still considered a “poor man’s material”. The development of bamboo as a load-bearing structural element paves the way for high-value applications in construction, making bamboo cultivation an economically viable option for greening large areas of wasteland. Edible bamboo is in high demand in East Asian cooking and medicine. Bamboo grown in the Northeast, which accounts for 66% of the bamboo grown in India, can be exported to East Asian countries such as Japan and Taiwan at competitive prices with the support of the Indian government.
Various Sources
Visit the official website of NBM https://nbm.nic.in/
Further Readings: Additional Resources
Click on the below links for the related articles on Bamboo.
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
When was the national bamboo mission started in India?
The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) was launched in 2006-2007 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and was subsumed under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) during 2014-15 and continued till 2015-16.
Who launched National Bamboo Mission?
The National Bamboo Mission was launched by the Govt. of India in 2006-2007 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which was later on incorporated under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture during 2014-2015.
What is the aim of the National Bamboo Mission?
The purpose of the National Bamboo Mission is to provide social, commercial, and economic benefits to the north-eastern regions and states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Jharkhand. It focuses on bamboo development in a limited number of provinces with commercial benefits. Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala.
Why bamboo was chosen as a part of this initiative?
It grows quickly and can be harvested in about 3 years. It is also known to conserve water and reduce water evaporation from the earth’s surface. This is an important property in dry, drought-prone areas.
How do I apply for the bamboo mission?
Visit the mission’s official website https://nbm.nic.in/. After opening the website, click the Farmer Registration link on the right side of the page.
Which bamboo is in demand in India?
Bambusa Tulda species is expected to dominate the market as it is widely used in the construction industry and in the manufacture of furniture, mats, handicrafts, and more. It is also an edible variety and is used as a windbreak.
