UNIDO To Develop Bamboo, Rattan In Nigeria, Others

The UNIDO plans to develop bamboo and rattan production in Nigeria, Cameroon and Sierria Leone, according to Mr Reuben Bamidele, the UN agency’s National Programme Officer.

Bamidele told newsmen in Abuja that the ultimate goal was to generate income and employment, which would help achieve poverty reduction in the country.

“UNIDO, as a specialised agency of the United Nations, was looking at the entire value chain of these two commodities; that is at the level of production, processing and marketing.’’

Bamidele expressed optimism that the two commodities would provide a lot of income for Nigeria as there were many bamboo and rattan in the wild.

According to him, the project is meant to develop the production section of the two commodities by establishing nurseries, working with communities, local, states and the federal governments.

He said the project, would in conjunction with the three tiers of government, develop planting materials for farmers and input.

“At the moment, we are not aware of any (private or government bamboo farm). The Federal Department of Forestry is doing something with Edo State Government but it is still in the dream and some persons are visiting Ogun State Government but it has not come to fruition.’’

On the future of bamboo and rattan in Nigeria, he admitted that it was bright with adequate sensitisation of the Nigerian public on the role and importance of the commodities.