Bamboo cultivation will yield annual income of Rs 1 lakh per acre: Niranjan Reddy

Hyderabad: In a bid to promote alternate crops to ensure remunerative income to farmers, plans are afoot to promote cultivation of bamboo in around two lakh acres in the State. Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy who reviewed ‘opportunities in bamboo cultivation-profits’ through a virtual meeting here on Saturday, said bamboo cultivation will yield annual income […]

Hyderabad: In a bid to promote alternate crops to ensure remunerative income to farmers, plans are afoot to promote cultivation of bamboo in around two lakh acres in the State.

Agriculture Minister S Niranjan Reddy who reviewed ‘opportunities in bamboo cultivation-profits’ through a virtual meeting here on Saturday, said bamboo cultivation will yield annual income of Rs 1 lakh per acre. Just like oil palm, the bamboo too attracts less pest problem. “The soils in the Telangana are also suitable for bamboo cultivation. Earlier, bamboo cultivation was promoted under Forest department,” he said.

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With the Centre making it mandatory to use at least five per cent bamboo in all the thermal power generation units, the Minister said there will be good demand for the crop. About 1,000 saplings can be grown within an acre land, using drip irrigation and other modern cultivation methods. “Two years after plantation, about 40 tonnes of bamboo can be produced per acre and thereafter, can be harvested once in every two years. Varieties like Bhima bamboo can yield crop for nearly 50 years,” he said. Further, the bamboo can also reduce carbon emissions.

Horticulture director Venkatram Reddy, bamboo scientist Nambi Bharathi along with the officials of horticulture and forest departments, were also present.

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