In the Media
Laos: Bamboo mgt project takes root in Huaphan
December 19, 2011
Vientiane Times
The European Union has granted 1 million Euros (about 10.4 billion kip) and the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and Gret an additional 600,000 Euros (more than 6.2 billion kip) for a bamboo development project in Huaphan province.
The aim of the project, which began in Viengxay, Xopbao and Xamneua districts this year and will run until 2014, is to promote the sustainable management of bamboo forests. This would in turn lead to the production and sale of handicrafts and furniture, increasing the income of local farmers.
Prior to implementing the project, in 2009 SNV and Gret approached bamboo growers and gave them training courses on plantation management, forest allocation, production and reforestation. There are currently 478 families of bamboo growers spread across 21 villages and 22 groups of producers within the three districts.
Mr. Souvanpheng said “In Huaphan province, bamboo forests cover about 80 percent of the land area. It we don’t protect and carefully manage this area, it will continue to decrease.” In the past, people living in provinces where bamboo is grown have benefited from this resource by harvesting and collecting its shoots which they sell at local markets. Mr Souvanpheng said farmers who had been cutting down and burning bamboo to clear land for agriculture or to make a wall or roof for their house for instance, were acting irresponsibly.
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Keywords: bamboo, Huaphan, Lao PDR, Laos, management, reforestation