Grass for food, fine furniture, building materials and agroforestry

Bamboo the tallest grass in the world, has far more uses than what the postcard-pretty bahay-kubo shows. This unusual grass but very common plant is one of two raw materials — the other is rattan — that supports the local cottage industries’ exports worth billions of dollars.

The Forest Product Research and Development Institute (FRDI) at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños and the Nepa-Q-Mart Industries (NQMI) both took a second look at bamboo and gained a better appreciation of the grass’ vast potentials as planting material in agroforestry and in providing livelihood to farmers. The studies on bamboo resulted in a guidebook, "How to Grow Bamboo," which has been revised and updated since then; the new guidebook has a Filipino version.

On the other hand, Nepa-Q-Mart’s interest in bamboo has turned into demonstration farms and nurseries throughout the country distributing bamboo seedlings for free. The bamboo seedlings dispersal project started in the last quarter of 1988 is still going on to this day.

The project is headed by lawyer-businessman Nereo J. Paculdo, NMQI chairman and chief proponent of the nationwide bamboo propagation program.

Bamboo is a very versatile plant. Picture this: handicraft, furniture, construction materials for low-cost housing, poles for aquaculture, livestock housing, shade and fence, windbreak, birdcage, banana props, rafts, fishing rods, fish traps and outriggers for bancas and fishpens.

Aside from these almost limitless applications, there’s the young bamboo shoots (labong). Bamboo shoots are mostly found in the vegetable markets of Metro Manila but the biggest markets are foreign countries, especially Japan. Bamboo shoots grown for canning are grown in big plantations in Davao to meet the ever-growing demand for the product here and abroad.

Seedlings are readily available from the nurseries of NMQI across the country (just write to NMQI t hrough Engr. Mario Baccara at 127 Ermin Garcia St., Cubao, Quezon City or call 912-3290).

Because of its many uses and livelihood and export potentials, bamboo farming must get the proper attention it deserves. — PAJ News & Features