Plan bamboo cultivation in state to boost rural livelihoods, governor tells officials

To boost rural livelihoods and promote sustainable agriculture, governor Haribhau Bagade directed officials on Friday to formulate a comprehensive plan for bamboo cultivation in the state. Citing its economic and environmental benefits, he also emphasised utilising arid land for bamboo farming and developing a strong marketing and training ecosystem to support farmers.

- HT Correspondent

The governor was speaking at a meeting on “The Role of Bamboo in Rural Livelihood Generation” at the Raj Bhavan. The meeting was organised in light of the environmental and economic significance of bamboo and the benefits that the farmers in Maharashtra are reaping from bamboo-based products.

Bamboo expert and chairman of the Chief Minister's Task Force on Environment and Sustainable Development in Maharashtra, Pasha Patel, was invited for the meeting.

Bagade emphasised that officials should identify available land in low-water areas of the state suitable for bamboo cultivation and prepare a marketing strategy for bamboo-related products, so that farmers can derive maximum economic benefit.