Edible bamboo shoot cultivation training in KA by RFRI as alternative to Jhum cultivation

Edible bamboo shoot cultivation training in KA by RFRI as alternative to Jhum cultivation
From a CorrespondentJORHAT, June 12:

In a bid to provide a sustainable alternative to jhum cultivators and augment their income, the Rain Forest Research Institute (RFRI) here conducted a training programme for farmers and entrepreneurs in edible bamboo shoot cultivation at Rongbong Ghat and Deoithar villages under Nilip Block in the Karbi Anglong district.Project Coordinator Pawan K Kaushik said that a survey was conducted prior to the training and three self-help groups selected for planting four edible species of bamboo – kako, bholuka, katoha and mokal – with special emphasis on bholuka which is specially delicious.“Two sites of one hectare each and a nursery of 2 bighas for growing the rhizomes were demarcated and the three self-help groups put in charge,” Kaushik informed.“A linkage was also established with two edible bamboo shoot processing units – the Luit Valley Bamboo Shoot Processing Unit at Jorhat and Deoisar Bamboo Shoot Processing Unit in Dimapur, Nagaland so that the product could be sold in the market.Explaining the macroproliferation techniques of bamboo shoots Kaushik said that a more than two year old rhizome can produce shoots mostly in the months of April, May, June and July. While the mokal bamboo clump, made of a number of bamboo clams, produces a maximum of 14 to 16 shoots followed by Kako 9 to 11, the bholuka in June and July produces only 6 to 7 shoots, making it the most costliest.Referring to the economics, Kaushik said that in any given year an income of about Rs 1 lakh can be generated from 1 hectare of land cultivated with edible bamboo shoots. “Depending on the distance in which the clumps are sown usually three by three metres to five by five metres distance anything between Rs 35000 to Rs 65000 can be made during three months April, May and June when the shoots proliferate,” he further said.“If the project succeeds, it will be replicated in other areas where shifting cultivation is practised. It will ease the pressure on land and augment the income of the farmers,” Kaushik further said. “By and by we will start intercropping with agricultural and horticultural plants and seeds and saplings of good mango varieties, plum, Asom lemon, mausambi, Nagpur orange, etc to the farmers,” the project coordinator stated.More than 60 participants attended the technology transfer programme. The lecture on cultivation management and economics was delivered by Dr TC Bhuyan, extension officer under the project, and by Kumud Bora, research assistant at RFRI while Kaushik gave a brief outline of the aims and objectives. The meeting was attended by Ratan Engti, deputy chairman, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council as chief guest while David K Timung, BDO of Nilip Block attended as special guest. Nabard District Development Manager Sanjay Bhattacharyya was also present.