The National Bamboo Mission (NBM) is a project set up by the government to encourage the expansion and correct use of bamboo in India. The purpose of this study is to find out how bamboo can support rural economies, care for the environment and help with industrial activities. India, as the world’s second-highest producer of bamboo, plans to help this material regain its importance in economic and social areas.
The Aim of the National Bamboo Mission
- Ensure that bamboo farmers, producers and sellers are linked for a healthy development of the sector.
- Support ways for rural communities and tribal populations to earn a livelihood.
- Support woodlands by planting bamboo in other areas to help cut reliance on forests.
- Support the infrastructure links as well as the improvement of processes from bamboo production until it reaches the final buyer.
- Start bamboo-based businesses and support new ideas, entrepreneurship and exports.
Important Highlights of the Scheme
The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare oversees the National Bamboo Mission, which is a scheme supported by the central government. It was realigned and restarted after 2018, under the name National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA).
- Targeting the development of bamboo as a commercial crop in places other than forests
- Using clusters to help organize the process from production to processing
- Nurseries, plantations, tissue culture labs and processing units all need support.
- Gaining new skills and supporting capacity among farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs
- Building up markets and advertising for bamboo-based products
Key Components of the National Bamboo Mission
- Kick-starting nurseries and offering certified bamboo seed for planting
- The development of bamboo plantations on private, government and community properties
- First, primary processing units and treatment plants are built.
- Financial backing for elements of the bamboo market such as rural haats and retail shops
- Teaching and assistance for farmers, self-help groups and other interested parties
- The industry is focusing on helping bamboo farms and creating a wide range of bamboo products
Eligible Beneficiaries under the Scheme
- Local farmers and those in bamboo growing near rural and semi-urban locations
- SHGs mean self-help groups and FPOs are farmer producer organizations
- There are cooperatives and local artists using bamboo for their crafts and furniture
- Startups and MSMEs that process and add value to bamboo
- State authorities, companies for forest development and NGOs promoting bamboo
Implementation and Funding Pattern
- The plan is carried out by forming State Bamboo Missions in every state.
- Central government funds are given to states according to the formula of 60:40 for general states, 90:10 for northeastern and hilly states and 100% for union territories
- States create plans each year and the Directorate reviews and accepts them before the activities are put into action
What does the National Bamboo Mission offer?
- Provides work and improves earnings for people living in rural areas with bamboo crafts.
- Supports goods that are environmentally safe, break down naturally and are sustainable
- Helps sustain forests by promoting bamboo outside them
- Lends support to India’s efforts to achieve clean air and forest goals
- Means of growing the entrepreneurial sector by producing bamboo handicrafts, agarbattis, furniture and construction materials
- Helps export bamboo and encourages making bamboo products domestically instead of bringing them in from other places
Introducing Bamboo as a Commercial Crop
- The farmers are influenced by the mission to grow bamboo to get cash because it grows rapidly and is in great demand. In just 3-4 years, bamboo can be harvested, unlike timber, which takes years longer. Furthermore, bamboo has several hundred uses in different fields.
- There is assistance for farmers in readying the land, putting in the seeds and keeping crops healthy, April 2023
- The government gives out funding for the purchase of planting materials and irrigation.
- The bamboo you gather can be offered to processing companies, manufacturers of furniture and groups of artisans.
- The majority of rural cultivators sell their products to the bamboo-based agarbatti and mat-making industries.
Role of Technology and Innovation
- This mission aims to make use of advanced technology in both bamboo farming and processing.
- Plant biotechnology has made it possible to provide crops that are free from disease-causing agents.
- Using mobile applications and geo-tagging allows people to watch bamboo plantations and follow the amount of bamboo produced.
- Bamboo used in furniture and building now lasts better and looks better due to modern treatment plants.
- Automation and mechanization are being suggested to processing units to boost their productivity.
Bamboo in Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India
- Bamboo was selected as a key part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat strategy. Using bamboo allows India to cut down on imported items and support its own industries, which makes it important for the country’s economic independence.
- Bamboo is being recommended as an alternative material for building, furniture and packaging because it replaces plastic and metal.
- Artisans are now able to sell their products globally by linking to e-commerce and export systems.
- Make in India goals are being noted in the framing of incentives and schemes for bamboo startups.
- The decision to classify bamboo out of the “tree” group under the Indian Forest Act has improved the transportation and sale of bamboo.
Challenges in Bamboo Protection
- Although the government helps the industry, the sector still encounters a number of problems.
- Many farmers do not know about the possibilities involved in commercial bamboo.
- There is not enough supply of tested planting material and nurseries.
- Problems come from a broken link between suppliers and producers.
- Moving goods is expensive and there aren’t enough cold storage options for products that need it
- A growth in private investment and financial support for bamboo-based new businesses is important.
Government Support and Partnerships
- The project cooperates with various government organizations, research institutes and business players.
- Form alliances with ICFRE and several other institutions to do research and development.
- Helps train people through state governments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural universities at the village level
- Partners with NSIC, KVIC and TRIFED to help people in entrepreneurship and marketing.
- Connections with the Ministry of MSME, the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Commerce to create consistent policies
Conclusion
The National Bamboo Mission intends to reveal the full power of bamboo in India. Since bamboo plays a big role in sustaining the environment, rural life and industry, it is widely known as “green gold.” The mission wants to make the economy better by combining production, processing and connections to markets.
This mission can be successful if farmers, governments and private parties cooperate well. With India promoting green growth, sustainable goods and native industries, bamboo is ready to symbolize sustainable development under the National Bamboo Mission.
