Restructured National Bamboo Mission

National Bamboo Mission (NBM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (launched with restructure in 2018) which emphasized on propagation and cultivation of bamboo. The scheme however focused less on processing, product development and value addition and this created a weak linkage between the producers (farmers) and the industry. The Restructured National Bamboo Mission gives emphasis on propagation of quality plantations of bamboo, product development and value addition including primary processing and treatment; micro, small & medium enterprises as well as high value products; markets and skill development, thus addressing the complete value chain for growth of the bamboo sector.

• The operational guidelines of NBM provide inter alia assistance for treatment, establishment of markets, incubation centres, value added product development and processing, development of tools & equipments, research & development, both in the Government and private sectors which would include startups also.
• The mission will contribute to optimizing farm productivity and income thereby enhancing livelihood opportunities of small & marginal farmers including landless and women as well as provide quality material to industry. The Mission will also help in creating employment generation directly or indirectly in both skilled and unskilled segments.

The objectives of the mission include-

• To increase the area under bamboo plantation in non-forest Government and private lands to supplement farm income and contribute towards resilience to climate change.
• To improve post-harvest management through establishment of innovative primary processing units, treatment and seasoning plants, primary treatment and seasoning plants, preservation technologies and market infrastructure.
• To promote product development at micro, small and medium levels and feed bigger industry.
• To rejuvenate the under developed bamboo industry in India.
• To promote skill development, capacity building, awareness generation for development of bamboo sector.
• The Mission will focus on development of bamboo in limited States where it has social, commercial and economic advantage with focus on genetically superior planting material of bamboo species of commercial and industrial demand.
• Adoption of end to end solution in bamboo sector i.e. complete value chain approach starting from bamboo growers to consumers would be emphasized.
• The Mission has been developed as a platform for integration of Ministries/Agencies with implementation responsibilities based on their mandate.
• Capacity building of the officials, field functionaries, entrepreneurs and farmers through skill development and trainings would be emphasized.
• Focus on Research & Development (R&D) to increase the production and productivity of bamboo.

The restructured mission will benefit directly and indirectly farmers as well as local artisans and associated personnels engaged in bamboo sector including associated industries. It will directly benefit about one lakh farmers as it has proposed to bring about one lakh ha area under plantation. It is expected to establish about 4000 treatment and product development units and bring more than 100000 ha area under plantation.