'Bamboos have high commercial value, can generate substantial income'
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, May 15 2018:
Bamboos have high commercial value as other forest resources and can generate substantial income for rural farmers says Dr Rahmat AliLaskar.
Speaking at the 6 days training on 'Propagation and Management of Bamboo' at WD, training Centre Ukhrul, Dr Rahmat Ali Laskar encouraged the trainees and shared his experiences of bamboo cultivations and success he has in bamboo business.
He was impressed with the varieties of bamboos found in Ukhrul district and also possible for extensive bamboo cultivation in the region.
The contemporary society have high demand for bamboo products, he said.
Cost of one bamboo sapling in Assam ranges from Rs 10 to Rs 200.People can generate substantial income by selling bamboo trunks/stems annually apart from trading on bamboo products.
Peoples' demand for bamboo products like furniture, basket, charcoal etc are ever increasing, he said.
Elaborating the various initiatives and achievements, he urged the trainees/farmers to grow bamboos abundantly.
It is one of the easiest and cheapest means to enhance farmers' incomes, he said.
Dr Rahmat Ali Laskar who has little formal education (upto class VII) said that he owns the biggest 'North East Bio-Diversity Conservation and Research Centre' in the Country and several nursery farms in different States of India.
Efforts are underway to conserve 5000 species and sub-species of orchids and 260 bamboo species and subspecies, said Dr Rahmat.
Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon University, France has conferred him an Honorary Doctorate in "Ecology" and his name is in the Guinness book of world record, he said.
The States of Assam, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh recognizes his efforts in their different capacities and Jammu and Kashmir had honoured him with the title "son of Kashmir" in 2013, he said.
Dr Rahmat trained the farmers on bamboo propagation techniques, and methodology seasonal collec tion of seasonal bamboo seeds for making nursery.
80 trainees from different, villages of Ukhrul district participated in the six days training programme organized by WD, Ukhrul and.
conducted by Cane and Bamboo technology, Burnihat Assam.
The programme was sponsored by NEC.