A Handbook on bamboo farming has been released in seven languages
On Thursday, the “National Symposium on Bamboo” in New Delhi witnessed the release of India’s first comprehensive handbook on bamboo cultivation.
The handbook will be available in seven regional languages and will specifically provide smallholder women farmers with essential knowledge and practices.
Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Rural Development, and Alexandria Huerta, Acting Mission Director, USAID, also unveiled an app, a digital tool that provides real-time data support to women smallholder farmers. According to the organizers, the app will also aid in the development of a traceable supply chain for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, thereby increasing bamboo product demand and export opportunities.
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Sustainable livelihood
It highlighted bamboo’s potential as a sustainable alternative in a variety of industries, with the goal of improving livelihoods while also making a significant contribution to environmental conservation and sustainable development goals.
Industree Foundation’s collaboration with DAY-NRLM builds on the success of USAID’s Producer-Owned Women Enterprises (POWER) project, which was implemented by Industree in three states and has brought together over 10,000 women into 37 women-led enterprise and farmer producer collectives.
Over the last five years, these women producers have fulfilled market orders totaling more than $3 million. This successful model will be replicated nationwide in collaboration with State Rural Livelihoods Missions.
USAID’s strategy
Addressing the symposium, Singh stated: “The bamboo cultivation programme is a testament to our commitment to empowering rural women and promoting sustainable development, creating lasting economic opportunities while advancing climate mitigation and resilience.”
According to Alexandria Huerta, Acting Mission Director of USAID, “addressing gender-related inequalities and promoting locally-led development are important aspects of USAID’s global strategy.”
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Neelam Chhiber, Co-founder of the Industree Foundation, stated, “Bamboo cultivation has enormous potential to transform rural economies and improve the lives of countless women. We have laid the groundwork for 5,500 farmers in Karnataka and Maharashtra to earn a sustainable income beginning in the fourth year and lasting at least forty years.
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