ANon-Governmental Organisation, the African Network on Bamboo and Rattan (ANBAR), has promised to sustain the production of bamboo trees in the country.

The President of the network, Alhaji Bello Dogon-Daji, made the pledge in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the need to sustain the production of the tree became necessary because of its uniqueness, as a viable economic tree that would contribute to the nation’s economic development.

“We are talking about a product that can boost our economy, create employment and integrity for the producers,” he said.

According to him, the stakeholders are all out to make sure that the project succeeds for the country, to enable Nigerians benefit from its production, just like what obtains in China, India and Ghana.

Dogon-Daji, however, called on the Federal Government to collaborate with the Chinese Government to develop the bamboo industry in Nigeria to international standard.

He said that China had been generating a lot of revenue from the sales of bamboo products, creating market outlets for them, as well as creating job opportunities for its people.

The NGO boss said that Nigeria had the wherewithal, including funds, fertile land and human resources, to develop the bamboo industry to enviable standard.

“With its fertile land and political will, Nigeria has all it takes to go into bamboo production,” Dagon-Daji further said.

He said that bamboo and rattan could be used in the production of a wide variety of products, including fiberboard, furniture, paper pulp and food, among others.

He called on stakeholders in bamboo production in Nigeria to be focused to achieve sect transformation in such an economic endeavor.

“Nigeria can generate more than N1 billion annually from bamboo products,” Dogon-Daji said.

He, however, said that “the development of bamboo and rattan will require the inputs and cooperation of researchers, managers, policy makers, development partners and other users of the products to succeed”.

Speaking on the applicability of the  product in the Nigerian weather, Mr Yemi Dawoud, a Soil Scientist, said that the production of bamboo would not pose any problem.

He said, “What obtained in India, Ghana and some parts of China, where bamboo is grown, is virtually the same with Nigeria.

“It is applicable, but it should be in the riverine areas of the country where there is sufficient rainfall to water it as it requires plenty of rainfall.”

Dawoud advised the growers of the product to avoid arid zones for them to record bumper harvest.