Agartala, September 25: Tripura Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu on Thursday called for greater use of modern technology and value addition in the bamboo sector to expand markets and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for artisans in the state.
The Governor made the remarks during a visit to the Bamboo & Cane Development Institute (BCDI) at Lichubagan in Agartala, where he reviewed the institute’s activities related to bamboo cultivation, processing, product development and quality assessment.
During the visit, Nallu toured the Bamboo Pathshala and Bamboo Nursery. BCDI In-charge Dr Abhinav Kant briefed him on different bamboo species found in the region, their characteristics, cultivation methods and applications.
The Governor also visited the Bamboo Processing & Technology Centre and witnessed demonstrations of machinery and technologies used in processing bamboo. Officials explained the various stages of processing and value addition, and how modern techniques could improve product quality, production efficiency and commercial potential.
At the Bamboo Product Testing Laboratory, Nallu was briefed on facilities used to assess the strength, durability, quality and other parameters of bamboo products. Officials highlighted the role of testing in ensuring that products conform to prescribed standards and can access wider markets.
The Governor also inspected an exhibition of bamboo products developed by the institute and discussed possibilities for innovation, product diversification and further commercialisation.
Speaking to the media, Nallu said Tripura’s diverse bamboo resources offered considerable scope for developing products for different sectors. He cited items such as javelins and fishing rods as examples of products that could be made using bamboo grown in the state.
He appreciated the role of BCDI in promoting bamboo-based activities and said the institute was imparting training to artisans and craftsmen from different parts of the country in processing and product development.
The Governor also noted growing public interest in bamboo cultivation in Tripura. He said the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM) was encouraging Self-Help Groups at the district and state levels to take up bamboo-based products as a means of livelihood generation and entrepreneurship.
Nallu suggested that BCDI explore the possibility of setting up a finished bamboo raw-material assembly centre where artisans could obtain processed materials conveniently for manufacturing different products.
Such a facility, he said, could reduce the time and effort required by artisans while facilitating greater value addition and innovation.
The Governor also stressed the need to adopt modern tools and technologies for developing new bamboo products and preserving traditional craftsmanship. He specifically highlighted the practice of creating portraits and artistic items from bamboo roots, describing it as a distinctive craft associated with Tripura.
He called for efforts to preserve, promote and further develop such traditional skills so that Tripura’s bamboo craftsmanship can gain wider recognition while providing sustainable economic opportunities to local artisans.
