Bamboo, answer to Mizoram's economic prosperity

Aizawl, Apr 28 (UNI) Even as Mizoram reeled under Mautam, famine due to excessive bamboo flowering, the bamboo entreprenuers have stated that bamboo cultivation could boost the state's economy.

Participating in an international conference on improvement of bamboo productivity at New Delhi recently, Mizoram Bamboo Entrepreneurs' Federation (MIBEF) president J Laltlanmawia said they wanted to make bamboo production economically viable for the state.

Altogether, ten bamboo entrepreneurs and seven state government officials participated in the conference, attended by more than 500 delegates from across the globe.

Rare bamboo products were also exhibited during the conference.

''The state government should take steps to setting up a separate department towards promoting bamboo industries in Mizoram. It will also help in eradicating unemployement,'' Mr Laltlanmawia said.

The MIBEF also urged the state government to promote the Bamboo Development Agency, where several expensive bamboo processing machines were lying unutilised.

''The government should hand these machines over to the practical workers,'' the MIBEF stated.

UNI ZS PP RN1640