Opinion | Realising bamboo’s potential
Summary
Nepal's bamboo sector contributes nearly 1% to GDP but remains informal and under-commercialised, with significant untapped potential in value-added products, women's empowerment, and climate mitigation.
Key Points
- Nepal's bamboo sector is largely informal with traditional uses dominating the market and lacks dedicated policies and regulation.
- Challenges include lack of standardization, premature harvesting, price volatility, and limited market systems hindering the sector's growth.
- Bamboo is not yet recognized in Nepal's climate frameworks despite its potential for carbon sequestration and climate resilience.
- Key recommendations include establishing a national bamboo board, integrating bamboo in national climate policies, improving market infrastructure, and promoting financial incentives.
