Independent India Initiative: Tripura to set up 28 bamboo processing units

Agartala:Tripura government has announced to set up at least 28 bamboo processing units across eight districts the state in a current financial year where as many as 850 bamboo artisans have already been given bamboo processing kits as part of entrepreneurship development initiative of the government, said officials of Industry and Commerce department here today.

According to plan, about 500 bamboo growers will be provided with cutters and splinters from Tripura Bamboo Mission soon to boost up value addition activities of natural bamboos. Tripura has already marked a milestone in bamboo-based industries globally by manufacturing water bottles and biscuits from bamboo shoots.

Secretary, Industries and Commerce Kiran Gitte said that the state government has embarked into a mega plan to scale up bamboo-based industries and manufacturing of household items, which are of high demand worldwide because of the varieties and quality of bamboo Tripura produces.

"Bamboo is one of the high valued natural resources of the state and hence the government is working hard to encourage bamboo-based industries and develop entrepreneurship," Gitte said adding that as many as 21 species of bamboo found in Tripura and these have been used for furniture, ornaments, agarbatti sticks besides, many more value-added products.

Tripura Bamboo Mission has undertaken programs for the development and expansion of bamboo cultivation and two-hectare high-tech nursery was set up along with a bamboo treatment plant at Kumarghat of North Tripura and set up of two bamboo depots at Chakmaghat and Kumarghat.(UNI)