“Plant it and forget it” – this is how many farmers are describing bamboo farming, and it’s starting to catch on. With rubber farming in crisis due to erratic weather patterns and price volatility, more and more farmers are turning to bamboo as a potential game changer. The concept seems almost too good to be true: plant bamboo once, and after minimal upkeep, watch it grow into a source of income.
Across Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, bamboo farming is quietly expanding, particularly under the guidance of K.C. John, a farmer from Palakkad, Kerala. Mr John has been cultivating bamboo for years, and his story might be one to watch. On just one acre of land, Mr John grows 60 different varieties of bamboo, an effort that has now expanded across 500 acres in the region. He’s convinced that bamboo farming could bring substantial profits – with minimal input once the plants are established.
Mr John explains that after an initial investment of around Rs. 1.5 lakh, bamboo farming could start to pay off after just five years, generating income that might reach four lakhs. In comparison, rubber farming requires far more effort. Rubber trees need to be nurtured for seven to ten years before producing a reliable income, and the maintenance is constant. “Bamboo farming is less about hard work and more about patience,” says John. Once planted, bamboo requires little more than occasional attention, offering an attractive alternative to the daily demands of rubber cultivation.
The plant itself is a versatile and hardy species, capable of thriving in various climates. There are more than 1,600 varieties of bamboo, ranging from towering elephant bamboo to smaller garden-friendly types. “Bamboo can be grown almost anywhere, even in small spaces,” Mr John adds, pointing out that it’s a crop that can fit well in urban settings as well as rural farms. A single acre can hold up to 400 bamboo plants, with each plant costing anywhere between Rs. 50 and Rs. 500.
The real appeal of bamboo doesn’t stop at farming, though. As the world shifts towards sustainability, bamboo is being touted as a replacement for plastic, steel, and softwood. It’s already used in products from furniture to textiles, even food items, and experts suggest that the potential market is vast. However, in Kerala, bamboo has mainly been used for crafting, while other states have embraced bamboo for various industrial uses. Dr. B Gopakumar, a researcher at the Palode Tropical Botanical Garden, emphasises that Kerala has yet to fully tap into the industrial potential of bamboo, which could include everything from construction materials to biofuels.
Yet, the road to realising bamboo’s potential may not be smooth. Regulations in India limit its use in construction, despite other countries embracing it as a building material. There are calls from various quarters for the government to reconsider its stance and create a more supportive policy environment.