Bamboo: A New Hope in the Fight Against Drought
Introduction:
In Africa, growing bamboo is becoming increasingly important, as this versatile plant is seen as a promising way to combat drought and as an opportunity for the development of rural regions. This applies in particular to Ethiopia – more on that later. With its fast growth and positive environmental effects, bamboo has the potential to play a significant role in building more resilient communities and coping with the effects of climate change.
Current efforts:
Various initiatives and organisations have started to promote bamboo cultivation in Africa and to raise awareness of the benefits of this plant. One example is the bamboo programme of the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR), which aims to promote the long-term use of bamboo resources in Africa. By working together with governments, communities and farmers, bamboo plantations are being established to protect the environment, improve the livelihoods of the local population and strengthen resilience against drought.
Ethiopia:
Ethiopia is one of the countries that is looking closely at the potential of bamboo in the context of climate change. The country is experiencing more and more periods of drought and areas at risk of desertification. The Ethiopian government has recognised that bamboo can be a promising way to counter these challenges.
Simien Mountains in northern Ethiopia
The Ethiopian bamboo programme, led by the Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institute (EEFRI), aims to establish bamboo plantations throughout the country. These plantations are intended to restore degraded land, fight poverty and create lasting income opportunities for the local population.
The Ethiopian bamboo initiative aims to establish one million hectares of bamboo plantations by 2025. These bamboo plantations can play an important role in reforestation and soil conservation, as bamboo roots deeply and prevents erosion. In addition, bamboo is used in Ethiopia as a building material and for making furniture, handicrafts and biomass.
Gondar region
Potential and benefits of bamboo in Africa:
Bamboo stocks in Africa are rich and diverse. Various bamboo species, such as moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), guadua bamboo (Guadua angustifolia) and Yushania alpina, are native to different regions of the continent. These species are characterised by their fast growth rate and their ability to combat erosion, conserve water resources and stabilise soils. In addition, bamboo has the potential to be a lasting source of income for local communities through its use for construction and crafts.
Conclusion:
The efforts to promote bamboo cultivation in Africa, and in Ethiopia in particular, are a promising measure for tackling the challenges of drought and climate change in the region. Bamboo offers numerous benefits, including its ability to conserve soil, regulate water and be used over the long term. This project can not only help to address climate change, but can also help to strengthen the economies of the countries concerned, as jobs and (new) industries are (opened up or) expanded.
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Sources:
1. "Bamboo and Sustainable Development in Africa." INBAR. Available at: https://www.inbar.int/bamboo-and-sustainable-development-in-africa/
2. Soini, Elisabeth et al. "Bamboo for restoration and livelihoods in Africa: A synthesis." Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, vol. 26, no. 1, 2017, pp. 1-16.
3. Liese, Werner. "Bamboo in Africa: State-of-the-art, challenges, and opportunities." Journal of Bamboo and Rattan, vol. 17, no. 1, 2018, pp. 19-29.
4.Assefa, Kebede et al. "The role of bamboo for landscape restoration and livelihood improvement in Ethiopia." Forests, Trees and Livelihoods, vol. 27, no. 3, 2018, pp. 139-152.
5. Ethiopian Environment and Forest Research Institute (EEFRI). Available at: http://eefri.gov.et/
6. Berhan, Gashaw. "Bamboo for sustainable landscape restoration and livelihood improvement in Ethiopia: Overview and prospects." African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, vol. 12, no. 9, 2018, pp. 274-282.