| In a previous article, I touched upon some of the things | | | | venture. |
| that make bamboo a highly desirable source of wood | | | | Compared to other forms of wood, bamboo is very |
| flooring that have nothing to do with flooring. In this | | | | low maintenance. It requires little in the way of weeding |
| article, I would like to expand on that theme to make | | | | or other activities - it is already a grass, and it will |
| the argument that bamboo is a very special resource | | | | dominate grasses around it. Therefore it is a product |
| that provides many economic benefits to emerging | | | | that can be grown with limited resources, equipment |
| countries throughout the world. | | | | and knowledge. |
| Bamboo creates jobs and economic prosperity for | | | | Bamboo is not just important to developing countries |
| people in countries that lack the resources or | | | | like the Philippines. According to UNIDO (the United |
| infrastructure of more developed countries. In some | | | | Nations Industrial Development Organization), Bamboo |
| countries, such as the Philippines, sugar has been vital | | | | accounts for nearly one-eighth of India's total forest |
| to the economy for years. It is a primary export that | | | | land - or 10 million hectares (one hectare equals slightly |
| these countries rely heavily on as a source of jobs. So | | | | less than two and a half acres). Industrial usage in India |
| it comes as very bad news to some countries that | | | | for bamboo is, understandably, high, as it is used in the |
| they are running out of sugar. That's where bamboo | | | | paper industry, construction, and energy. More recently, |
| steps in. | | | | more consideration and urgency is being given to the |
| Bamboo grows easily in many different environments, | | | | use of bamboo in the manufacture of finished |
| and it is a strong substitute crop for sugar. Where | | | | products, which will likely result in continuing growth in |
| sugar once grew, the people can now grow bamboo | | | | the Indian bamboo market. |
| for use in construction and other purposes. It has been | | | | Bamboo is also a heavy crop in China, the country that |
| shown that it is more profitable for countries to export | | | | ranks number one in terms of bamboo acreage. |
| bamboo in a processed state rather than as a raw | | | | Bamboo grown in China is used in the creation of craft |
| product, so this has resulted in the construction of | | | | and construction products, industrial and paper |
| plants and other processing facilities to turn the raw | | | | products, food, medicine, and juices/wines. It adds |
| bamboo into a more final product. So jobs are being | | | | enormous value to the Chinese economy while helping |
| created that relate both to the growing of bamboo | | | | China preserve its forests by harvesting an easily |
| and to the processing of the bamboo. | | | | renewable resource, rather than cutting down trees. |
| A problem developing countries have is funding the | | | | Bamboo is a crop that will continue to play an |
| operations to grow and harvest bamboo. It is | | | | important role in the economies of emerging countries |
| estimated that a new bamboo plantation reaches | | | | for years to come. It provides opportunity to people |
| profitability in five years or less, but lenders in | | | | who need jobs, and it protects the environment by |
| less-developed countries do not like to lend money to | | | | providing a resource that grows much quicker than |
| enterprises that will not show very quick profitability. | | | | trees. So the next time you are shopping for |
| However, compared to the many years it takes to | | | | hardwood flooring for your home, consider bamboo. |
| grow and harvest hard wood, bamboo is a less risky | | | | The economic impact of the decision runs deep. |