Bamboo is a versatile and sustainable resource that can play a significant role in mitigating climate change. It is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. Therefore, bamboo can help sequester carbon, provide renewable energy, and create sustainable livelihoods for communities.

Sequestering Carbon

One of the most significant ways in which bamboo can help mitigate climate change is by sequestering carbon. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that absorbs large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, storing it in its woody fibers. According to research, bamboo can sequester up to 70% more carbon per year than other trees. Moreover, bamboo has a high yield, meaning that it can absorb more carbon per hectare than other crops.

Renewable Energy

Bamboo can also provide renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating climate change. Bamboo can be used as a source of biomass energy, providing a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. When burned, bamboo releases carbon dioxide, but since it sequesters more carbon than it emits, it is considered carbon neutral.

Sustainable Livelihoods

Bamboo can also help create sustainable livelihoods for communities. Bamboo is a versatile and durable material that can be used for various purposes, including construction, furniture, and textiles. By growing and processing bamboo, communities can generate income while also contributing to mitigating climate change.

Project progress

We planted 865 bamboo seedlings in April 2022 following our first online fundraising drive to support smallholder farmers mitigate climate change. The seedlings are growing steadily. We are incredibly excited about the opportunities that this initiative will create for rural farmers!

Being a treeline and fast-growing grass, bamboo offers many opportunities for value addition for our smallholder farmers. Bamboo also offers environmental benefits including removing large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which would contribute to mitigating climate change. We carefully selected the Bambusa Vulgaris species, which is versatile and can thrive on slopes and degraded soils – a common phenomenon among our smallholder farming communities.

A total of 72 farmers received the seedlings bamboo seedlings that was mainly planted in less productive areas in their pieces of land. We have 98.3% growth rate, from all the seedlings that were distributed – which is a great start. A total of 72 farmers received the seedlings bamboo seedlings that were mainly planted in less productive areas in their pieces of land.  We have a 98.3% growth rate, from all the seedlings that were distributed – which is a great start.

Future plans

By 2025, we will have set up a moderate community-based production facility. It will be used to train smallholder farmers in making items like crafts, furniture, and ornaments in order to diversify their incomes, as well as for use in construction as a substitute for trees. Moreover, factory residues will be used for soil amendment as biochar, along with other simple agricultural interventions. Additionally, our bamboo will also be used as a substitute for cooking, therefore reducing deforestation – which is dangerously high in our area of operation.