Union Minister Giriraj Singh said India is now close to achieving this capability. During his visit to the Tilwara bamboo nursery on Monday evening, he noted that the Ministry is actively pursuing bamboo fibre research and that he had come to review the progress.
60–70 Bamboo Varieties Cultivated
The Minister highlighted that a common belief that bamboo absorbs excessive water is incorrect. Bamboo expert Subhash Bhatia from Jabalpur has disproved this notion. Singh praised Bhatia, calling him a “master of bamboo,” and pointed out that he has grown 60 to 70 bamboo varieties on his farm, many of which are extremely tall.
Singh said the government is assessing the economic potential of bamboo farming. According to him, farmers can earn a minimum of ₹1.5 lakh annually starting four years after planting bamboo. He also expressed concern over declining soil carbon levels across North India from Bengal to Punjab and noted that states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have only 0.5% soil carbon left. During the visit, he also tasted bamboo salt and observed its processing.
Understanding Bamboo Fibre
Nursery operator and bamboo expert Subhash Bhatia, who is working with the Textile Ministry, said they are experimenting with new bamboo varieties to develop soft fibre suitable for clothing. He showcased 62 bamboo types to the Minister and noted that China is currently the only country producing textile-grade bamboo fibre, but India is now very close to matching this capability.
He added that farmers can plant bamboo along field boundaries and grow mushrooms in the centre to boost income. The Minister emphasized the urgent issue of declining soil carbon and the importance of sustainable agricultural practices such as bamboo cultivation.
.jpg)
.jpg)
