Science and technology community based farm on improving production of quality bamboo poles in Ilocos Norte [Philippines]

Bamboo technologies have been developed by various government and non-government institutions to address issues and concerns in the bamboo industry. The Mariano Marcos State University [MMSU] continues to support bamboo related programs of the government to meet the increasing demand of bamboo in the local and international market. Through MMSU's commitment to help the bamboo industry and the people it serves, the university developed technologies for dissemination. The project aims to enhance the production and commercialization of bamboo poles and utilize harvesting and processing wastes into productive uses, specifically to motivate and facilitate community based bamboo enterprise establishment through S and T interventions; promote bamboo production technologies; strengthen the capabilities of farmers on bamboo technologies through capacity building activities; production and reproduction of IEC materials and; showcase bamboo technology commercialization and strengthen linkage. Bamboo farmers and enthusiast were trained on bamboo technologies. In coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs), bamboo farmers were identified and clustered based on location and proximity. Eleven municipalities in Ilocos Norte [Philippines] served as project partners. Many of the natural bamboo clumps are rehabilitated and quality planting materials were produced leading to the establishment of 13 hectares of bamboo plantation. IEC materials were produced and distributed during the capacity building activities. There was an increase in income which resulted to the generation of employment. Farmers noticed an increase in the number of shoots and improvement of bamboo poles using the introduced technologies which resulted to a higher income of the farmers. The propagation technology resulted in the production of quality raw materials for plantation establishment. The relationship between bamboo pole producers and bamboo processors were strengthened stakeholders such as pole producers, bamboo manufacturers and LGUs are benefitted. Further, the increase in the number of hectares planted with bamboo also contributed environmental efficiency.