Centrally sponsored scheme to promote bamboo sector

New Delhi, Mar 19 (UNI) The Government has launched a centrally sponsored scheme to promote bamboo sector in the country, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Agriculture Kanti Lal Bhuria said in a written reply that a National Bamboo Mission was set up last year under the scheme in 28 States to collect and compile data on production, processing and utilisation of bamboo and would work to promote bamboo production through research, plantation, handicraft development, marketing and its export.

He said the programme would be implemented through the State Governments while ensuring local participation of cooperatives and self help groups. Under the programme, the Mission would contemplate to generate about 50.4 million mandays of work by carrying out bamboo plantation activities over a period of five years.

UNI