KOCHI: Bamboo, the glossy stems which have been intertwined with our life in many forms for long, has been losing its grip of late.
Rapid urbanisation has adversely affected its cultivation in the state, but the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) is set to give it a lease of life with its unique project.
As per the plan, KAU’s College of Forestry will select two villages in central Kerala and covert them into tree-farming models, to cultivate bamboo as a cash crop along with other tree species in their homesteads.
Dr T K Kunhamu, professor and head of the Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Forestry at KAU, said, “We’ve identified two villages Arimbur and Madakkathara to develop them as model demonstrative tree-farming villages in the state. As part of the project, timber, fodder and fruit trees will be cultivated in their homesteads. Among trees, bamboo will be given more emphasis as it has a larger role to play in mitigating the impact of climate change and ensuring a speedy return to farmers in terms of their investment.
We’ve identified 27 small, medium and large homesteads in the villages and 10 selected bamboo species will be cultivated in them. Farmers can sell bamboo culms in the third year,” said Kunhamu.
Around 400 bamboo culms can be raised in one hectare of landholdings and each bamboo culm will fetch Rs 200-250 for a farmer. In short, a farmer will get Rs 8-10 lakh in return from one hectare area three years after planting the bamboo saplings. Since these solid bamboo species will not compete with other intercrops during the time of farming, other trees and cash crops can be raised effectively in the homesteads.
There are around such 1,000 small, medium and large homesteads in the two villages, and an integrated farming system will be developed. The model could be replicated in other parts of the state, according to Kunhamu.
A general reconnoissance survey was completed and a customised farm plan is being prepared for the selected homesteads with the association of KAU’s other departments. Once the nursery of the saplings ia prepared, the project will be formally be inaugurated, said the officials.
Apart from selling bamboo culms, a lot of other products can be made from edible bamboo species like asper which will open up a new vista for the traditional farmers in Kerala, who otherwise depend on the farming of conventional crops to generate income, said KAU officials.
27 small, medium and large homesteads have been identified for bamboo farming in the first phase.