Ten-year plan can make India global leader in bamboos: Foundation for MSME Clusters

Representational image only. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

“A 10-year plan can transform India’s bamboo sector and help bridge the gap with China,” market leader, the Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) said. 

“India, with 13.96 million hectares of bamboo cultivation, is the second-largest bamboo producer in the world. Yet, its contribution to the global bamboo market stands at a modest 3-4%, starkly overshadowed by China’s dominance at 65%,” said Mukesh Gulati, Executive Director, Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) in a note. 

“This glaring disparity underscores the need for a concerted effort to unlock India’s untapped potential and elevate the bamboo sector to rival global leaders,” he said.

Stating that China’s success story is built on a long-term vision supported by systematic implementation, he said the foundation of its bamboo industry is private plantations that ensure a steady supply of high-quality raw material. Integrated value chains further amplify China’s efficiency — waste from one process becomes the raw material for another. 

“Despite having a larger area under bamboo cultivation than China, India has not capitalised on its potential due to systemic challenges,” he emphasised. 

Three States namely Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura are leading the charge in reviving India’s bamboo sector. 

While Maharashtra’s Atal Bamboo Samruddhi Yojna promotes private and public bamboo cultivation, supporting rural entrepreneurs, and fostering market linkages for sustainable growth, Madhya Pradesh is integrating bamboo cultivation with employment schemes such as MGNREGA, empowering self-help groups to manage plantations.

And Tripura has combined traditional knowledge with modern techniques to develop export-oriented clusters for housing and furniture production.

“These efforts demonstrate how strategic interventions can drive value addition, generate employment, and enhance the bamboo industry’s economic impact,” Mr. Gulati said.

Emphasising that FMC’s 10-Year Plan provides a blueprint to elevate India’s bamboo sector, he said the economic value of bamboo can be increased from ₹12,507 crore to ₹52,246 crores creating more than 20 lakh jobs.

The 10 year plan includes Scientific Cultivation to enhance productivity to 40 tonnes per acre annually, prioritising engineered bamboo, biomass fuel and other value-added products and promoting eco-friendly practices and public-private partnerships to ensure long-term growth.

“A critical element for success lies in breaking silos between Ministries and Departments. While the National Bamboo Mission is currently led by the Ministry of Agriculture, effective implementation requires coordination with industries, rural development authorities and export councils,” Mr. Gulati said.

“Without this collaboration, the bamboo sector’s growth will remain fragmented and limited,” he added. “By expanding these efforts nationally and implementing a cohesive strategy such as the 10-Year Plan, India can position itself as a global leader in sustainable bamboo products,” FMC said .