An ambitious two million dollar UN project launched to boost the countrys role as a world leader in the cane and bamboo industry was launched in Delhi recently.
By Sanjay Kumar
New Delhi, Apr 21 : An ambitious two million dollar UN project launched to boost the country's role as a world leader in the cane and bamboo industry was launched in Delhi recently.
Minister for Development of Northeastern Region Mani Shankar Aiyar launched the project in the presence of Kandeh Yumkella, Director General of the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
"For prosperity, people from the region can utilize this precious gift of the nature. To use this, technologies are also needed. It is very important to take local, regional offices along. Environmentally, use of cane and bamboo can ensure protection of our forests," Aiyar said.
"We can link the economy there with that of the world economy. I feel that the opportunities are really hopeful. To progress, this is needed, particularly in that region. At the same time, industrialization can also take place in otherpheres," Aiyar added.
Describing bamboo as a promising agro-commodity and an economic lifeline for the people of the region, Yumkella said the project would be an excellent opportunity to develop the North East.
"I believe this is where the key will be to develop as the minister said and linking them to all the markets especially in OECD countries where the demand for these products is high," said Yumkella.
UNIDO will be the executing agency, with the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, North Eastern Council and Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) as the coordinating and counterpart agencies.
Of the total project cost of 2.3 million dollar, the donor contribution of the country is little above 1.8 million dollar and 1.96 million dollar is UNIDO's contribution.
The first phase of the project was successfully implemented during 2000-2004 leading to the creation of the cane and bamboo technology centre. The phase-II will reach out even further to the communities and contribute to rural livelihoods by organizing cane and bamboo farmers and producers into associations; and extending supply chains from plantation management and pre-processing to industrial processing and marketing.
The project will benefit the thousands of families surviving by selling products made of natural products.
Bamboo is the lifeline of the North East and it is associated with many cultural and traditional behavior and livelihood.
ANI