The Bamboo and Rattan Sectors in Asia: an Analysis of ... - INBAR

Some towns in the region have daily markets while others have weekly markets
for trading local products. One tribal group, the Buruds, has a strong market presence
---- they set up stalls and work them on market days. Others may set up a stall or sell
all their wares to a stall owner at a lower price for resale. In addition to the town
residents, villagers from a radius of 10-15 km come to these markets.
There are some important holy days at temples in the area which attract large
numbers of people. At these times, the craft workers put more effort into decorating
their wares with color and designs. Products sold on these occasions may fetch twice
the normal price.
Finally, there is a large transit market at Tokawade on the main highway. Every
Friday, traders and agents come here to buy large quantities of baskets, which they
sell to vegetable and fruit growers in the upland districts of Pune, Nagar and Nashik.
Thakur families who specialize in the craft make these baskets. They work on basketmaking
ten months of the year, leaving just enough time to produce one paddy crop.
They rely on bamboo raw material trucked in from as far as 60 km which adds about
Rs 2 to the cost of each culm (US$1 = Rs 35.86).
Constraints and opportunities
Bamboo is natural to the region. It grows well and requires little attention. There
is an existing tradition of cultivation in backyards and village commons. Ownership
of cultivated bamboo is decentralized and dispersed. There is also a live tradition of
bamboo craft and access to bamboo craft skills is open. Moreover, there is still a
steady demand for bamboo products. It is apparent that there is scope to build on
these characteristics to improve and create new opportunities for people in the region.
The report suggests a number of avenues or thrusts for improving the system.
First, there is a need to improve the availability of bamboo to craft workers. Available
options include:
1. Allotment of bamboo by the Forest Department to user groups 6 ;
2. Community management of bamboo forests, along the lines of Joint Forest
Management experiences elsewhere in India;
3. Encouraging backyard bamboo cultivation; and
4. Improving clump management.
The durability of bamboo products is limited because of attack by borers and
other insect of pests. Improved (safe and affordable) preservation technology is needed,
especially for house and other construction applications.
6 This approach has been used in Madhya Pradesh. The INBAR study there found that the Department
had failed to deliver the committed quantity of bamboo.
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