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Agriculture
Bamboo sector poised to boost livelihoods in Assam, says CM Himanta Biswa Sarma
✍️ ThePrint
🗓 19 Sep 2026, 02:31 AM
👁 12
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted bamboo as a new source of income for Assamese people, emphasizing its potential to create jobs and spur rural development.
Assam's chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, told ThePrint that the state's abundant bamboo resources are opening fresh avenues for income generation among local communities. He noted that bamboo can be cultivated on marginal lands, providing an alternative to traditional crops and helping diversify rural economies.
The government is reportedly encouraging the establishment of small‑scale processing units and training programs to equip farmers with skills needed for bamboo-based products such as furniture, handicrafts and bio‑materials. By linking producers with markets, officials aim to create a value chain that benefits both growers and artisans.
Sarma also pointed out that bamboo's rapid growth cycle makes it an environmentally friendly resource, aligning with Assam's broader goals of sustainable development and climate resilience. The emphasis on bamboo is expected to complement existing agricultural initiatives and generate employment in remote districts.
While detailed policy measures were not disclosed, the chief minister's remarks signal a strategic push to harness bamboo's economic potential and reduce dependence on conventional cash crops.
Stakeholders, including farmer groups and industry bodies, have welcomed the focus, citing the crop's versatility and the promise of higher earnings for households across the state.
The government is reportedly encouraging the establishment of small‑scale processing units and training programs to equip farmers with skills needed for bamboo-based products such as furniture, handicrafts and bio‑materials. By linking producers with markets, officials aim to create a value chain that benefits both growers and artisans.
Sarma also pointed out that bamboo's rapid growth cycle makes it an environmentally friendly resource, aligning with Assam's broader goals of sustainable development and climate resilience. The emphasis on bamboo is expected to complement existing agricultural initiatives and generate employment in remote districts.
While detailed policy measures were not disclosed, the chief minister's remarks signal a strategic push to harness bamboo's economic potential and reduce dependence on conventional cash crops.
Stakeholders, including farmer groups and industry bodies, have welcomed the focus, citing the crop's versatility and the promise of higher earnings for households across the state.