‘Bamboo is emerging as a livelihood pathway’

The bamboo industry in India is seeing renewed interest as a sustainable material, being used in construction, furniture, paper, and even textiles. Its rapid growth rate and carbon sequestration capabilities make it a vital component in combating climate change. With proper support and market access, bamboo cultivation can significantly contribute to both rural economies and environmental sustainability.

Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Industree Foundation, recently hosted a ‘National Symposium on Bamboo’. The event aimed to promote sustainable rural livelihoods, women’s empowerment, and climate resilience through bamboo farming.

Launch of UGAO App

The symposium saw the unveiling of India’s first comprehensive handbook on bamboo cultivation, available in seven regional languages. This resource is designed to equip smallholder women farmers with essential knowledge and practices. Mr. Charanjit Singh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, and Alexandria Huerta, Acting Mission Director of USAID, also launched the UGAO app. This digital tool provides real-time data support for women smallholder farmers and helps build a traceable supply chain for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification, boosting bamboo product demand and export potential.

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Mr. Charanjit Singh emphasized that bamboo cultivation offers a unique opportunity to improve livelihoods while contributing to environmental conservation. He stated, “This program is a testament to our commitment to empowering rural women and promoting sustainable development, creating lasting economic opportunities while advancing climate mitigation and resilience.”

Ms. Swati Sharma, Joint Secretary of Rural Livelihoods at the Ministry of Rural Development, reiterated that empowering rural women through bamboo cultivation aligns with their mission of promoting sustainable livelihoods and inclusive growth. She noted, “This program not only provides economic opportunities but also contributes to environmental sustainability. We believe this initiative will serve as a model for rural development and women’s empowerment across the country.”

Sustainable Income

Neelam Chhiber, Co-founder of Industree Foundation, spoke about bamboo cultivation’s potential to transform rural economies and improve the lives of countless women. She mentioned that they have laid foundations for 5,500 farmers from Karnataka and Maharashtra to achieve sustainable income from the fourth year onwards for a minimum of forty years. She added, “Through our combined efforts, we aim to provide these women with the skills, resources, and market access they need to succeed.”

The symposium underscored bamboo’s potential as a sustainable alternative in various industries, aiming to enhance livelihoods and significantly contribute to environmental conservation and sustainable development goals. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana aims to empower 1 million rural women as ‘Lakhpati Didis’ (women earning over INR 100,000 annually) through bamboo farming, driving economic independence and sustainable development across India.

Industree Foundation’s partnership with DAY-NRLM builds on the success of USAID’s Producer-Owned Women Enterprises (POWER) project, implemented by Industree in three states. This project has aggregated over 10,000 women into 37 women-owned enterprises and farmer producer collectives, fulfilling market orders worth over $3 million in the past five years. This successful model will now be scaled nationwide in collaboration with State Rural Livelihoods Missions.

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