As part of an initiative to promote bamboo cultivation and create a marketing network for bamboo, it has been proposed to set up bamboo markets at Sankeshwar and Shimoga in Karnataka.

Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of the Bamboo Mela here on Tuesday, Chief Conservator of Forests of National Forestry Action Programme (NFAP) and Liaison Officer for Karnataka for National Bamboo Mission A.C. Keshavamurthy said that the proposals were aimed at providing market linkage for bamboo growers.

Mr. Keshavmurthy said that the structure of the bamboo markets was being worked out. “We are contemplating whether to have an APMC yard type set-up for the bamboo market. We will plan and send a proposal to the bamboo mission for approval and release of funds,” he said.

Market at Kushalnagar?

To a query, Mr. Keshavmurthy said that initially, a bamboo market was to be set up at Bangalore, but the idea was dropped in view of huge transportation costs.

“However, we are considering setting up a bamboo market at Kushalnagar in Kodagu.

“It is still in the planning stage,” he said.

He said that market linkage and other programmes related to bamboo cultivation would be easier if growers came forward with declarations regarding cultivation of bamboo.

It would also become easy for the Forest Department to extend facilities and subsidies to them.

Subsidy given

He said that, at present, a subsidy of Rs. 8,000 an acre was being given to growers if they took up micro-irrigation to cultivate bamboo. Even bamboo saplings were being supplied at subsidised rates to SC/ST farmers as well as marginal farmers.

Mr. Keshavmurthy said that there was a need to extend subsidies to all farmers cultivating bamboo. The bamboo mission was yet to take a decision on it.

He said that though the bamboo mission had written letters to the State government and all deputy commissioners on creating awareness about schemes for the promotion of bamboo cultivation, officials at the district- and taluk-level seemed indifferent.

He said unless the officials were interested and created awareness, it would be difficult to motivate farmers.