National Bamboo Mission (NBM)

✦Key Features

• India 2nd largest bamboo producer globally (after China); 136 species; 13.96 million ha
• 2017 Indian Forest Act amendment: bamboo on private land removed from tree definition
• Budget: ₹1,290 crore (2018-20); 60:40 Centre-State; 90:10 for NE/hilly states
• Farmers get subsidy for bamboo plantation on private land
• Processing units: primary processing, treatment, seasoning plants, product development
• Uses: construction, furniture, handicrafts, charcoal, textiles, agarbatti, paper
• National Bamboo Mission 2025: expanded with industry linkages and export focus

✓Eligibility Criteria

• Individual farmers and landowners with non-forest land available for bamboo plantation.
• Self Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and cooperatives.
• Entrepreneurs and startups looking to establish bamboo-based processing units.
• Public and private sector agencies involved in bamboo cultivation and value addition.

★Benefits

• Financial assistance for establishing high-quality bamboo nurseries for planting material.
• Subsidies for bamboo plantation on non-forest land, including homesteads and farm boundaries.
• Support for setting up primary processing units, treatment plants, and carbonization units.
• Market linkage support through the establishment of bamboo bazaars and retail outlets.
• Skill development and technical training for bamboo artisans and farmers.

▶Application Process

• Apply online through the National Bamboo Mission (NBM) portal or State Bamboo Mission website.
• Submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for industrial units or a plantation plan for farm activities.
• The State Level Executive Committee (SLEC) reviews the application for technical and financial viability.
• Field inspection is conducted by the forest or agriculture department officials to verify land and resources.
• Sanctioned funds are released in installments based on the progress of the plantation or construction.

₹ Budget Allocation

1290

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 60:40 (Centre:State) for general states; 90:10 for NE and Hilly states.

Historical Context

Originally launched in 2006-07; significantly restructured in April 2018 to focus on the entire value chain (plantation to marketing).

Challenges

• Inadequate supply of high-quality planting material (tissue culture).
• Logistical challenges in transporting bamboo from remote areas of the North-East.
• Competition from cheaper imports from South-East Asian countries.

Reforms & Recommendations

• Establishment of 'Bamboo Mandis' to ensure fair pricing for farmers.
• Standardization of bamboo-based construction materials in the National Building Code.
• R&D into bamboo-to-ethanol production.

Performance Statistics

SDG Linkages

Constitutional Backing

Technology Used

Success Stories

Key Takeaways

• Focuses on cluster-based development.
• Promotes bamboo as a substitute for plastic and steel.
• Incentivizes setting up of bamboo treatment plants and primary processing centers.

Convergence Schemes

• MGNREGA (for plantation)
• PMEGP (for processing units)
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)

Sector Tags