**Policy Summary: Support for Bamboo Farmers and Industry in the Northeast Region**
The primary responsibility for developing the bamboo sector, including ensuring fair prices for bamboo farmers and artisans, rests with State Governments. The National Bamboo Mission (NBM), under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, supports these efforts by linking bamboo growers with artisans and consumers, promoting bamboo cultivation, industries, value addition, and marketing in the North Eastern Region. NBM includes provisions for developing bamboo market infrastructure through support for bamboo bazaars and retail outlets in both the public and private sectors.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced quality standards for bamboo products like mats, panels, and composites. The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has consulted with stakeholders to ensure bamboo growers and artisans can meet export standards. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs promotes innovative bamboo-based building materials. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has incorporated engineered bamboo products into its standard Schedule of Rates and specifications, with Delhi's Schedule of Rates amended in 2017 to include bamboo-wood composites. The Assam Cabinet has approved the inclusion of engineered bamboo composite materials in the Public Works Department's Schedule of Rates, mandating at least 5% use of bamboo-based materials in new public building construction.
This information was provided by the Minister of State of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for the development of the North Eastern Region of India.
National Bamboo Mission: A program under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to develop the bamboo value chain in India.
North Eastern Region of India: A region in India consisting of the states in the Northeast.
Bureau of Indian Standards: The national standards body of India responsible for setting standards for various products, including bamboo products.
Ministry of Housing Urban Affairs: A ministry of the Government of India focused on housing and urban development.
Central Public Works Department: A central government authority responsible for public works, including incorporating engineered bamboo products into its Schedule of Rates.
Delhi: The National Capital Territory of India, whose Schedule of Rates was amended to include Bamboo Wood composite materials.
Assam: A state in the North Eastern Region of India that approved the inclusion of engineered bamboo Composite Materials into the Public Works Department's Schedule of Rates.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Profit to Bamboo Farmers in the Northeast
Posted On: 06 AUG 2025 4:40PM by PIB Delhi
Development of bamboo sector, which includes ensuring fair prices and profits to local bamboo farmers and
artisans, is primary responsibility of State Governments. As per the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers
Welfare, National Bamboo Mission (NBM) augments the efforts of the State Governments on developing the
bamboo value chain by linking bamboo growers with artisans and consumers. It promotes bamboo
cultivation,bamboo-based industries, value addition, marketing of bamboo and its products, especially in the
North Eastern Region of India. There is a provision under NBM for promotion and development of
infrastructure for bamboo market by supporting the public and private sector to establish bamboo bazaar,
retail outlets, etc.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has introduced several standards for ensuring quality of various bamboo
products such as Bamboo Mat Boards, Panels, Corrugated Sheets, Composites, etc. for facilitating their wider
adoption as per specified quality requirements. Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)
has carried out consultation with multiple stakeholders and potential partners so that the bamboo growers and
artisans are capable to meet various standards required for export.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has been encouraging the use of innovative bamboo-based building
materials through its agencies. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has incorporated engineered
bamboo products into its standard Schedule of Rates and specifications. Notably, CPWD’s Delhi Schedule of
Rates was amended to include “Bamboo Wood” composite materials in 2017.
Recently, Assam Cabinet has approved inclusion of engineered bamboo Composite Materials into the Public
Works Department's Schedule of Rates, mandating at least 5% of bamboo-based material in construction of
new public buildings. This initiative aims to boost the bamboo industry, create economic opportunities for
local producers, and encourage sustainable construction practices.
This information was given by the Minister of State of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today
*****
Samrat/Allen
(Release ID: 2153091)