Market opportunities for bamboo MSME Clusters for sustainable development (lifestyle sector)
Student name: Ms Aarushi Ghai
Guide: Dr Sapna Narula
Year of completion: 2018
Host Organisation: Foundation of MSME Clusters
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Ms Sangeeta Agasty
Abstract: Bamboo is a great protector of the earth’s health and wealth and is also called Green gold or nature’s band aid. It is a critical element in maintaining the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Worldwide there are more than 1,250 species under 75 genera of bamboo, which are unevenly distributed in the various parts of the humid tropical, sub-tropical and temperate regions of the earth. It is estimated that about 2.5 billion people use bamboo in one form or the other at the global level. Some 25,000 bamboo-based industries provide employment to about 20 million people. Of the 13.47 million tons of bamboo consumed, 11.77 million tons are used in construction, small and cottage industries, handicrafts, paper production, as wood substitutes and for domestic purposes. There are more than 5 million people, half of them being women in the tribal regions across 18 states out of the 29 states of India where abundant quantity of bamboo is available as a resource for their livelihoods. However, in the bamboo processing and product manufacturing segment, the number is likely to be around 3 million only. While this bamboo resource has been augmented by a range of public initiatives but not sufficiently harnessed in terms of its market applications. There is a huge scope for replacement of less sustainable resources like timber, plastic, steel, etc. and for creation of green jobs by effectively harnessing bamboo by upgrading existing products and introducing new products duly linked with markets. This paper focuses on creating market Opportunities for Bamboo MSME Clusters for Sustainable Development by
1.) Undertaking market assessment to identify high end Bamboo applications that can substitute resources like timber, plastic, etc. in lifestyle sector
2.) Understanding the market dynamics of the sector, identifying key buyers (institutional and individuals), understanding their buying behaviour and suggesting products with high impact making potential that can be targeted by the Bamboo MSMEs in the project.
3.) Creating a list of Technical Institutions, Business Development Service Providers & large manufacturers who can support promotion of Bamboo Products through technical support.
