Bamboo is one of the commercially cultivated crops in India and it is also considered a poor man’s timber’. India is the second-largest producer of Bamboo in the world after China. The yearly bamboo production in the country is estimated at around 3.23 million tons. In Asia, bamboo is the most integrated part of the culture and is used as a substitute for wood. It is mainly used as construction material, furniture, pulp, and plywood. India is very fortunate to be blessed with good bamboo resources. Moreover, bamboo shoots are consumed as food and are considered a good source of nutrition. The northeastern states are the major bamboo-producing states in the country.
Climate Requirement
The bamboo plantation grows well in hot to warm temperate climatic conditions. But it must be remembered that it doesn’t require a temperature below 15 degrees Celsius in the summers. Since the bamboo has thin roots as well as ample growth, you must make provisions to protect it from strong winds. Also, an area that receives cold winds is just not apt for bamboo cultivation as the winds kill the tips of bamboo leaves.
Soil Requirement
Bamboos can be grown and cultivated on a wide variety of soils except for rock-strewn soils. Bamboo plantation also requires well drained sandy soil to clay soil that should have a ph range of 4.5 to 6.0. If we talk about India, then the Barack Valley region is best suited for bamboo cultivation due to best soil and perfect climate conditions.
Manuring & Fertilization
For high quality and the best yield, fertilizers are used. Manure and fertilization are important when the seedling is transplanted into the main field. As the bamboo plants are heavy feeders, even the richest soil will get washed out after a few years, if fertilizers are not applied to them. But it is always suggested to apply fertilizer after harvesting and previous to irrigating the plants. Potassium and Nitrogen are vital components of the fertilizer due to which the bamboo trees respond and grow well. Also, you must apply green manures, organic compost, wood ash, and chemical fertigation.
Leaf biting and sucking insects are common in young bamboo plants. Hence appropriate pesticides should be applied to control these pests.
Irrigation
Irrigation must be done regularly while the bamboos are grown on nursery beds. Immediate water should be provided at the time of transplanting seedlings from the nursery to the main field. It must be noted that bamboo trees are sensitive to waterlogging hence you must drain out the soil, especially during heavy rainfall or flooding. You can also adopt a drip irrigation system for better utilization of water.
Harvesting
The harvesting can be started from the fifth year onwards. On the other hand, in case of commercial farming, harvesting must be done from the sixth year. In the first harvest – sixth year, 6 culms can be harvested followed by 7 culms in the seventh year and so on.
The unit cost for one acre of bamboo plantation is around Rs 9400 spread over a period of five years. And as we mentioned above, harvesting starts from the sixth year onwards. The yield and income from bamboo plantation, increases each year starting from the sixth year. Hence we can say that Bamboo is a cash crop having low gestation period, faster growth and gives economic recurring returns, generation after generation.
