Sri Lankan research company finds bamboo possesses potential to revamp agriculture sector
A research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka has reportedly stated that bamboo has the potential to revamp the country’s agricultural sector by strengthening and diversifying the incomes of smallholder farmers.
Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), Manoj Thibbotuwawa, speaking at the Stakeholder Workshop on Bamboo Sector Road Map/ Country Action/ Strategic Plan Development, organised by the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI) and IPS recently has stated that bamboo can help to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change, by providing cleaner biogas, protecting forests and watersheds, absorbing and storing carbon, providing a source of renewable energy, and reducing soil erosion.
This means that bamboo is one of the most valuable non-timber forest products, he has been quoted in a media release issued by IPS.
Speaking at the event, Training Manager at International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), Jin Wei, has reportedly stated that bamboo has over 10,000 recorded uses including construction, energy, textiles, furniture, and crafts, providing income to millions of peoples across the tropics and sub-tropics.
Bamboo can also play a significant role in attaining several of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as ending poverty by creating jobs, providing a source of renewable energy, acting as raw material to build inclusive, safe, and sustainable cities and housing, promoting management and efficient use of natural resources, and helping to face the impacts of climate change, Sustainable Expert at INBAR, Ralf Kuepper has said.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Kuepper has noted that bamboo is an undervalued resource and a natural capital that can provide solutions to the developing challenges countries like Sri Lanka face.
OSL take:
The finding by the Sri Lankan research company on the potential to revamp the agriculture sector by bamboo indicates a business/investment opportunity for local as well as foreign businesses/investors to consider. Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector is on a growth path with many investment opportunities opening up in the introduction of new technologies, mechanization, etc.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/26032019/Z_4 |