By Adaora Adibe
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the bamboo value chain as part of efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy and boost sustainable development. The pledge was made by the Director-General of RMRDC, Professor Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muonso, during a courtesy visit by the Bamboo and Rattan Association of Nigeria Farmers (NARFAN) to the Council’s headquarters in Abuja.
The National President of NARFAN Engr. John Ajiego who led the team, spoke on the purpose of the visit, highlighting the untapped economic potentials of bamboo farming and its critical role in job creation, environmental sustainability, and the provision of raw materials for various industries. He emphasized the importance of integrating bamboo farming into Nigeria’s agricultural policies to foster economic diversification, noting that bamboo is a good alternative to timber which is gradually dwindling in Nigeria due to many factors.
He said that the association aims to set up a pilot Bamboo Plantation Scheme seeking collaboration with the Council in sensitization and awareness creation for massive conscious cultivation of Bamboo. He noted that the Association slogan is “BARFAN says plant Bamboo, it is time to plant Bamboo”.
“Bamboo is a timber of the 21st century, if you look at the country, you will find out that amateur woods are been used for building houses which is the major cause of building collapse, bamboo is also an alternative to cotton, most materials are made of bamboo. Bamboo can be used to make everything including ceilings, roofing, walls, tables, and chairs. Bamboo can be used to replace wall claddings,” Engr John stated.
He explained that bamboo is also a good alternative to plastic, timber, and cotton. Adding that bamboo can be used to obtain many products aside from the familiar ones like boat making, toothpick, etc. Stating that in Ghana, someone used bamboo for bicycle frames, the last athletic game also used bamboo for athletic booths, and in many other instances.
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He also enumerated the benefits of bamboo to the environment including providing resistance to wind, erosion control desertification, land degradation, etc.
The Director, Planning, Statistics, and Policy Department, Mrs. Racheal Kotso said the Council has collaborated with many other stakeholders in the past on Bamboo development and it is a welcome idea to further exploit it especially now that bamboo is scarce. She said the association needs to be more specific in the area they want the Council to partner with them.
The Director, Agriculture and Agro-Allied Department Dr. Seb Ebierekwe, emphasized that RMRDC has the mandate of utilization of raw materials for industrial development, which requires using available raw materials to enhance the industries in Nigeria. He said bamboo is the main raw material for toothpicks yet it is not available and toothpick is still imported. He asked to know what the available planted bamboo is used for. According to him, it will help the Council know areas of intervention.
Responding, Engr. John said the importation of cheap toothpicks and pencils etc hampers the local industries that could not compete with those imported items. He explained that the major challenge faced by bamboo farmers is government regulations.
Prof. Nnanyelugo assured the NARFAN of RMRDC’s collaboration with the association and expressed commitment to supporting initiatives that would strengthen the bamboo value chain. He acknowledged bamboo’s versatility, noting its applications in construction, furniture making, paper production, etc.
He further revealed that RMRDC could work out capacity-building programs, partnerships with relevant stakeholders, and policy frameworks to promote bamboo farming and its industrial applications.
NARFAN lauded RMRDC for its proactive measures and called for continuous engagement and incentives to encourage more Nigerians to invest in bamboo cultivation. They expressed optimism that with proper governmental and institutional support, bamboo could become a game-changer for Nigeria’s non-oil sector.
