In Uganda, by the Ruzi River – No rewording needed.

Beside a muddy river, workers excavated and cut through thick grass in pursuit of buried bamboo plants. Some plants had grown tall, but the majority of seedlings planted over a year prior did not thrive.

Environment protection officers are currently working to rehabilitate a 3-kilometer section of the river’s eroded banks. Their goal is to plant new bamboo seedlings, create space for the survival and growth of last year’s plants, and provide better care for them than was given in their initial planting.

The bamboo forest near the Rwizi River is a significant achievement in western Uganda, spanning from the city of Mbarara. It serves as a protective barrier against harmful practices such as sand mining and subsistence farming, which have posed a threat to the river for a long time. According to the National Environment Management Authority, the Rwizi River has lost 60% of its water catchment area over the years, causing some sections of the river to become as narrow as a stream.

According to Jeconious Musingwire, an environment officer and technical advisor for the project, once bamboo is fully grown, it functions similarly to a net. Its roots serve to capture all forms of runoff and reinforce the unstable banks.

There is a rise in fascination for bamboo in Uganda, a consistently growing plant found in various regions globally. In rural areas, it can be used as a source of fuel, reducing the burden on depleting eucalyptus forests and other natural reserves. It is a resilient plant that can thrive in almost any environment. Additionally, companies can utilize it to create a wide range of items, from furniture to toothpicks.

A few types of bamboo in Uganda originate from Asia, while others are found in their natural habitat, such as one kind used for a smoked dish in eastern Uganda.

The government of Uganda has established a 10-year plan to plant 300,000 hectares of bamboo, primarily on privately-owned land, by 2029 as a part of larger reforestation initiatives.

The goal is quite ambitious. The Uganda Bamboo Association, which consists of 340 members, has only planted 500 hectares. Despite the increasing popularity of bamboo farming, authorities will need to motivate farmers in rural areas of Uganda to plant large areas of land with bamboo.

However, indications are positive.

A short distance from where workers were caring for bamboo bushes, there is a sizable industrial farm with over seven acres of bamboo. The crops at Kitara Farm were meticulously maintained, and there was a reserve of 10,000 bamboo stalks ready to be purchased.

Joseph Katumba, the caretaker, shared that the property has served as a demonstration farm for those interested in learning about bamboo. He also remembered how, when they initially started planting bamboo in 2017, some individuals questioned the decision, asking why they would “waste land” by planting something that grows naturally in the wild.

Katumba mentioned that there has been a shift in opinion, as doubters are now showing interest in growing bamboo due to their researched and acquired admiration for it. Unlike eucalyptus, a tall flowering plant commonly cultivated in this area for its wood, bamboo does not have a specific growing season. The better care you provide for it, such as weeding around it, the more abundant years you can reap from the bamboo plant.

Bamboo grows faster than eucalyptus and regenerates like a weed. It also can thrive in poor soil. Kitara Farm stopped planting new eucalyptus lots while its bamboo acreage continues to expand, he said.

According to the speaker, there are numerous eucalyptus forests, but cutting down these trees eventually depletes their supply, resulting in a lack of financial benefits. However, upon further investigation, it was discovered that planting bamboo could provide a sustainable source of income for future generations.

One bamboo pole alone yields less than $1, requiring farmers to cultivate a large amount in order to earn a sufficient income. Advocates for bamboo are encouraging them to view bamboo plantations as lucrative ventures similar to coffee or tea estates. Banks are providing “plantation capital” to clients in the form of loans, granting ownership of sizeable areas of bamboo.

Taga Nuwagaba, a bamboo farmer and businessman who owns a bamboo furniture factory near the Ugandan capital, Kampala, advocates for each individual to plant a significant amount of bamboo. He highlights the plant’s potential for carbon sequestration and its renewable nature.

According to him, if you cut one, five more will grow.

According to Jacob Ogola, an agronomist consulting at Kitara Farm, bamboo plants typically reach maturity for harvesting within a span of three to five years. Furthermore, with proper maintenance, a bamboo plantation can be productive for up to 50 years. Ogola also noted that bamboo is a low-maintenance plant that typically does not require pesticide spraying for pest control.

There is now a larger availability of bamboo seedlings through private nursery beds.

Steve Tusiime, who describes himself as an enthusiast of bamboo, is the proprietor of a nursery in Mbarara. Tusiime has held a fascination for the plant ever since he encountered one as a child. He even recalls visiting a farm in central Uganda to embrace bamboo plants and in 2018, using his own funds to attend a bamboo trade fair in China where he acquired his first bamboo seeds.

Standing on another stretch of land by the river Rwizi where he and his partners have created a bamboo park in a recreation resort still to be commissioned, he waxed lyrical about how bamboo “energizes” him.

“The bamboo plants displayed here each hold a unique story, from their place of origin to their diverse uses and names,” he explained. “By visiting this place, you will delve into the world of bamboo, discovering various species and their purposes while admiring their distinct characteristics.”

However, the growth of bamboo plantations in Uganda is not keeping pace with the potential to develop an industry centered around this plant. Despite his high regard for bamboo as a profitable crop that also offers environmental benefits, Tusiime has only managed to sell less than 10,000 seedlings from his nursery in the last two years.

According to the speaker, bamboo has the potential to become a prominent tree species in Uganda and Africa. As an alternative to charcoal and firewood, bamboo offers a superior solution. It can be turned into briquettes or used as firewood. Bamboo has the potential to greatly impact Africa and can serve multiple purposes such as food, building material, and as a source of income. Additionally, it can provide food for animals and help maintain the health of the land.

Source: voanews.com