National Bamboo Mission

The National Bamboo Mission was launched in 2006–07 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to promote the bamboo sector. Its framework covers research, plantations, handicrafts and marketing, with interventions spanning both forest and non-forest areas.

Mission Mandate and Scope

The Mission addresses four broad areas: research and development, plantation development, handicrafts development, and marketing. It covers bamboo cultivation and associated activities in forest as well as non-forest areas. Its objectives include generating technology for sustainable development and developing new bamboo agroforestry techniques. The framework also provides for commercial plantations, improved planting material, management of existing plantations, skills development and stronger market access.

Major Development Priorities

The Mission’s activities include:

• Research and technology: Support research and development for sustainable bamboo production and technology generation, including new bamboo agroforestry techniques.
• Nurseries: Establish nurseries to raise bamboo seedlings.
• Commercial plantations: Raise high-yielding bamboo plantations on a commercial basis in forest and non-forest areas.
• Existing plantations: Rejuvenate senile bamboo plantations and improve existing stocks.
• Plant health: Undertake pest and disease management for bamboo.
• Handicrafts and trade: Develop bamboo handicrafts, marketing and exports.
• Skills and capacity: Build the capacity of farmers, field functionaries and other participants, and support human resource development.
• Markets: Develop a marketing strategy and establish bamboo markets, bazaars and retail outlets.
• Monitoring and information: Monitor, evaluate and report on activities, while generating, compiling and analysing relevant data.

Institutional Structure

The Mission’s administrative structure was described as similar to that of the National Horticulture Mission.

• National Apex Committee (NAC): The apex-level committee was chaired by the Union Minister of Agriculture and included ministers as members.
• National Steering Committee (NSC): Headed by the Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, it oversaw Mission activities and approved action plans.
• National Bamboo Cell (NBC): The national-level cell included bamboo specialists and a Mission Director who was an official from the agriculture ministry.
• State Bamboo Steering Committee (SBSC): State governments were to establish an SBSC, chaired by the Secretary for Agriculture, Horticulture, or Environment and Forests.

Implementation Agencies

Implementation arrangements differ between forest and non-forest areas.

• Forest areas: Bamboo development was assigned to Forest Development Agencies (FDAs) and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs).
• Non-forest areas: Bamboo Development Agencies (BDAs) were designated as nodal agencies. Funds from the Ministry of Agriculture were to be released through them for onward distribution to beneficiaries.
• State-level BDA leadership: Each state was to set up a BDA. The State Government could appoint the Director of Agriculture, Horticulture, or Environment and Forests, or another suitable officer, as Mission Director.

Technical Support and Funding

A Bamboo Technical Support Group (BTSG) was to be established at the Central level to support the National Bamboo Cell. It was to include at least three experts with experience in bamboo plantations, handicrafts and marketing. The Mission would fund the BTSG, which would function under the direct control of the NBC. Assistance was routed to beneficiaries through state governments. States were required to prepare a Bamboo Development Mission Document (BDMD) and submit it to the Department of Agriculture. Funding covered three distinct areas:

• Research and Development.
• Plantation Development.
• Handicrafts, Marketing and Export.

Interventions funded under the framework included establishing nurseries and tissue culture laboratories, raising new plantations, improving existing stocks, and providing micro-irrigation in non-forest areas. Creation of bamboo bazaars and retail outlets was also included, alongside other interventions.

Bamboo and Rattan: Key Distinctions

Bamboo and rattan belong to different botanical families and differ in their form, growth and use.

• Plant type: Bamboo is a grass, while rattan is a palm.
• Form: Bamboo is typically a hollow cylinder; rattan is generally solid and commonly grows as a climber.
• Growth conditions: Bamboo grows easily and quickly. Rattan requires a secluded environment and has a long gestation period.
• Utilisation: Roots, culms and leaves of the bamboo plant are used in diverse ways, whereas the stem is the principal part of the rattan plant used.

Key Prelims Takeaways

• The National Bamboo Mission was launched in 2006–07 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• Its four broad areas are research and development, plantations, handicrafts, and marketing.
• FDAs and JFMCs were associated with bamboo development in forest areas; BDAs were nodal agencies in non-forest areas.
• The National Bamboo Cell was supported by the Central-level Bamboo Technical Support Group.
• States were required to prepare a Bamboo Development Mission Document for submission to the Department of Agriculture.
• Bamboo is a grass, while rattan is a palm; their growth forms and patterns of use differ.