Kumaraguru Institute of Agriculture (KIA) has signed an MoU with Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) to establish a trial plot under National Bamboo Mission (NBM), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Mr S Senthilkumar IFS, Director-IFGTB represented IFGTB , Mr Muniasamy , Correspondent – KIA represented KIA. As this happened during this pandemic times, in order to avoid the gathering, the whole MoU signing happened over online meeting and the documents were exchanged physically.

Scientists from IFGTB, under National Bamboo Mission, have planted 7 different species of commercially cultivatable thorn less bamboos in our North Farm. IFGTB will guide the institution for the next five years in managing and raising the plantation. This 5-acre plot will also serve as demonstration plots for farmers across Tamil Nadu to create awareness on planting commercially viable bamboo species and also adopting the funding support of the National Bamboo Mission (NBM), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Some of the thornless bamboos that has been planted are

  • Bambusa tulda
  • Bambusa vulgaris
  • Bambusa nutans
  • Bambusa balcooa.
  • Bambusa bamboo
  • dendrocalamus strictus
  • dendrocalamus stocksii

Kumaraguru Institute of Agriculture will also use this plot to educate and empower students on Agro-Forestry and also encourage students to take up student research projects with the guidance from the scientists from IFGTB.

What is ICFRE and IFGTB?

  • Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) is an an autonomous Council under the then Ministry of Environment and Forests and was formed as an umbrella organisation for taking care of forestry research, education and extension needs of the country.
  • The Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB) is a national Institute under the Indian Council of Forestry Research (ICFRE). A multi-faceted research Institute primarily aimed to undertake and promote forestry research, education and extension, leading to scientific and sustainable management of forest resources. They also provide scientific advice to the central and state governments  aiding  informed  decision  making  in matters  of  national  and  regional  importance  and international commitments and to address  forestry research needs.

Website: https://icfre.gov.in/

What is National Bamboo Mission (NBM)?

  • To increase the area under bamboo plantation in non-forest Government and private lands to supplement farm income and contribute towards resilience to climate change as well as the availability of quality raw material requirement of industries
  • Improve post-harvest management through the establishment of innovative primary processing units near the source of production, primary treatment and seasoning plants, preservation technologies, and market infrastructure.
  • Promote skill development, capacity building, awareness generation for the development of the bamboo sector from production to market demand.
  • Realign efforts so as to reduce dependency on import of bamboo and bamboo products by way of improved productivity and suitability of domestic raw material for industry, so as to enhance the income of the primary producers.

Website: https://nbm.nic.in/