Narendra Singh Tomar inaugurates 22 bamboo clusters in nine states

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar yesterday inaugurated  22 bamboo clusters in nine states by virtual mode. These States are Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Karnataka. A logo for the National Bamboo Mission was also released.

 

Lauding the success of the National Bamboo Mission, Mr Tomar said that the country is now gearing up to increase the export of bamboo products. He said,  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always strived that local industries should be protected and make progress so that local artisans get a source of livelihood.

 

The Agriculture Minister stressed that the Government’s goal in the bamboo sector is being achieved with the concerted efforts of all stakeholders of the Bamboo Mission. He said, keeping in consideration the importance of bamboo, the Indian Forest Act 1927 was amended in the year 2017 to remove bamboo for the



category of trees.

 

Mr Tomar said, as a result now anyone can undertake cultivation and business in bamboo and its products. He said, import policy has also been modified to ensure progress of the bamboo industry in the country. The Agriculture Minister said, the use of bamboo has been an ancient tradition in India and it is now being supported with modern technology.  He said, youth are also being given training for bamboo industry.

 

The Minister called upon the States to take forward the objectives of the Mission which would contribute to the call of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat through an Aatma Nirbhar Krishi. He said, the support being given by the Mission to local artisans through locally grown bamboo species will also actualize the goal of Vocal for Local. He said, this will help increase income of farmers and reduce dependency on imports of some raw material.