Minister launches 280bn/- bamboo project
DAR ES SALAAM: Minister for Planning and Investment, Prof. Kitila Mkumbo, has officially launched a 280bn/- Bamboo Planting Project, affirming the government’s commitment to promoting bamboo farming, due to its rising demand in the global market and its role in constructing modern homes.
The project, set to take place in Morogoro and in the Coastal regions, is projected to create over 6,000 jobs for Tanzanian youth, marking a significant contribution to the nation’s economic growth.
“Bamboo is one of the most environmentally friendly trees and helps reduce ecological costs,” Prof. Mkumbo remarked, stressing the government’s role in supporting investment efforts at all levels that align with Tanzania’s development vision.
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Ms. Amne Saudi, Executive Director of Shikana Group, managing the project in partnership with Swiss-based Silva Terra, highlighted the investment’s focus on both climate change and raising awareness of bamboo’s value within the country.
“Bamboo is an extremely valuable resource that many are unaware of. Our goal is to tap into the global market, where it’s already used in construction and even in aircraft manufacturing,” she noted.
The project’s first phase will see 50 million US dollars invested in bamboo planting, with an additional 50 million US dollars allocated for the second phase.
Globally, bamboo is expected to reach a market value of 7 billion USD, with 2.5 billion people across Asia, Africa, and South America already using it for a variety of purposes.
