Why bamboo is a timely investment

OPINION

An investment in bamboo is the most ideal solution to the problem of forest and vegetation coverage currently being faced in Uganda.

In 1990, Uganda had 24% forest cover but as of 2015 it had reduced to 9%; about 92,612-122,000ha of forest cover is lost annually and at this rate Uganda will have no forest cover 40 years from now.

Therefore, an investment in growing bamboo is the most ideal solution to the above problem. It is the best substitute for wood products, especially due to the ever-increasing demand for wood products, which is directly linked to population growth.Uganda plans to increase forest cover to 18% by 2040 to meet the population and forest cover demands where 70-72% of forest cover is privately owned.

Therefore, NGOs, CBOs and co-operatives are needed in this struggle. I came to appreciate bamboo while searching for the most sustainable and quickest solution to the unfortunately recurrent landslides, mudslides and flooding in Bugisu sub-region. From bamboo one can get over 10,000 products.

Unfortunately, the forest cover has been encroached on mainly for purposes of wood fuel. Bamboo offers a smokeless, cost-effective and an easy-to-make alternative in the fuel industry: bamboo briquettes and charcoal. Other uses of bamboo include construction materials, fencing, support materials in agriculture and handicrafts.

The shoots (Malewa) are edible. Other uses are making furniture, panels and particle boards, pulp and paper, biomass production, making musical instruments as well as textiles.Bamboo is an important part of the socio-economic development of countries. Under the Bonn challenge, Uganda has pledged to plant 2,500,000ha of bamboo.

The Bonn challenge is a global effort to restore 150 million acres of the world's degraded and deforested lands by countries that have embraced and appreciate the value of bamboo to the general health a nation and the globe.

Three, eventually restore degraded lands and contribute to climate change mitigation. When Uganda implements the bamboo project, some of the goals include an overall contribution to the national bamboo resource target. Increase capacity building and technology transfer, especially in a new line of industries.

Raise awareness of the bamboo market's potential and build partnerships nationwide and globally. The strategy of the bamboo project will be premised on livelihood development, sustainable management and utilisation of bamboo, encouraging bamboo growing as a sustainable resource, adopting bamboo for watershed development, forest and landscape restoration as well as contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The viability of the bamboo project is in line with some of the Government's policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals, Uganda Bamboo Strategy, Uganda Vision 2040, Uganda Forestry Policy 2001, Uganda Forest Plan 2012, National Land Use and the National Energy policy 2002.The key stakeholders in the bamboo development plan include the Ministry of Water and Environment, National Forest Authority, Uganda Bamboo Association and Uganda Wildlife Authority.

International stakeholders include International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), Chinese National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Dutch ministry of foreign affairs, Dutch-Sino East Africa Bamboo Development Programme, Houtwerf and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

The writer is the founder of Mafabi Asha Foundation (MAF)