Empowering Bamboo Farmers in Assam with Modern Harvesting Technology

Bamboo plays a vital role in the daily lives of villagers across Assam and the northeastern states. From rice winnowing baskets (kulas) made of bamboo to using bamboo as fencing, its presence is seen in nearly every village. Farmers traditionally rely on the dao—a tool made of bamboo and iron resembling a sickle or axe—for bamboo harvesting. However, this manual method is labor-intensive, with farmers managing to harvest only 5-6 bamboo culms a day due to the physical effort required. Awareness about advanced bamboo-harvesting tools or mechanization is limited among these farmers.

Proper harvesting of bamboo at the right age and maturity is crucial for achieving high-quality bamboo suited to various uses. However, assessing the age of bamboo culms in the field demands both basic knowledge and experience. To address these gaps, Dalmia Cement, in partnership with GIZ and Finovista as the implementing agency, launched a project to demonstrate bamboo harvesting technology to the villagers.

The project was introduced through an event held in Kacharigaon, Jagi Road, Assam. This event aimed to educate farmers about the benefits of scientific harvesting techniques and to introduce them to modern bamboo harvesting technology. Experts from several organizations, including the Northeast Cane and Bamboo Development Centre (NECBDC), District Industries and Commerce Centre (DICC), Krishi Vigyan Kendra, INBAR, TRIBAC, Finovista, and Makita, shared valuable insights into bamboo plantation and harvesting, as well as the latest tools available.

A demonstration of bamboo harvesting was conducted, highlighting best practices and showcasing battery-operated chainsaws. The demonstration event also provided guidance on selecting the right bamboo species for various applications, ensuring that farmers understood which types would be most suitable for specific uses. Additionally, information, education, and communication (IEC) materials were distributed to support learning and awareness among the participants. Covering 21 villages across Morigaon, Lanka, West Karbi Anglong and Umrangso districts, the project reached 582 beneficiaries. Farmers were impressed by the ease, sustainability, and speed of the technology demonstrated. With this technology, farmers will be able to harvest more bamboo daily, potentially increasing their income tenfold and opening new avenues for bamboo applications like crafts and stick-making, thus enhancing their livelihoods and employment opportunities.