Guwahati, Jan 9:The Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR–ICRAF), in collaboration with the Assam State Bamboo Mission (ASBM), organised a three-day Farmers’ Training Programme on enhancing bamboo farming and production in Assam from January 5 to 7 at the Rabha Hasong Museum conference hall in Boko.
The programme aimed to strengthen farmers’ technical capacities in bamboo-based agroforestry, improve access to markets and financial services, and promote enterprise development under the Bamboo Outside Forest (BOF) initiative. It focused on equipping farmers with scientific knowledge, sustainable practices and livelihood opportunities linked to bamboo cultivation.
Key topics covered during the training included bamboo farming models, nursery management and quality planting material, harvesting and post-harvest practices, value addition, market and financial linkages, policy and regulatory frameworks, and emerging opportunities such as carbon markets and bamboo-based entrepreneurship. The sessions were delivered through expert presentations, interactive discussions and hands-on learning modules.
Participants included bamboo farmers, members of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), women farmer groups and farmer collectives from the Boko–Chaygaon co-district.
Addressing the valedictory session, Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) chairman Sonaram Rabha said the Boko–Chaygaon region has a strong tradition of bamboo cultivation and significant scope for expansion. Sharing his experience as a bamboo farmer, he encouraged participants to tap the growing market demand to enhance farm incomes.
RHAC Executive Member Sumit Rabha thanked CIFOR–ICRAF and ASBM for organising the programme in the region, noting that the training provided hands-on exposure to scientific bamboo farming practices and highlighted livelihood opportunities through local value addition, particularly via linkages with the Bamboo Technology Park at Satabari, Chaygaon.
The valedictory session was also attended by B Deuri, Assistant Commissioner of the Boko–Chaygaon co-district, and Dr Arup Jyoti Kalita of CIFOR–ICRAF, who spoke on policy convergence and the role of bamboo-based agroforestry in sustainable rural development.
Technical sessions were conducted by experts from Assam Agricultural University, the Central Silk Board, Assam Bio Ethanol Private Limited, NABARD, the Assam Forest Department, Bamboo Technology Park, Satabari, and CIFOR–ICRAF, along with bamboo entrepreneurs and sector specialists. These sessions focused on scientific cultivation practices, enterprise development and supply–demand trends in the bamboo sector.
As part of the initiative, training kits and extension materials, including posters, booklets and brochures, were distributed to participants to support continued learning and field-level adoption.
The programme is part of CIFOR–ICRAF’s ongoing engagement in Assam, in collaboration with the Assam State Bamboo Mission, to strengthen bamboo-based livelihoods, promote sustainable farming practices and support the growth of a vibrant bamboo sector in the state.
