IDC tenders for bamboo research

Pretoria - South Africa could soon be covered by bamboo plantations if research confirms that there are sufficient opportunities to cultivate this type of crop.

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is requesting tenders for research on the viability of bamboo plantations in South Africa.

Under ideal circumstances, bamboo can grow a metre a day and be used to manufacture furniture, paper and fuel, among other things.

The IDC says it wants to establish bamboo plantations in rural areas to draw local people into the formal economy.

Places in the Limpopo, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces have been identified by the IDC as potential bamboo plantations.

Research will also focus on the feasibility of making specific products from the bamboo, rather than just a  general estimation of bamboo production.

A provisional investigation has shown that more than 1 000 different products can be manufactured from bamboo, according to the IDC’s tender document.

Although bamboo grows extremely fast and has a variety of uses, there are also drawbacks. 

Forestry South Africa chief executive Michael Peter said that a number of prospective bamboo barons have struggled to sell the bamboo.

Questions also arise on the environmental impact that a bamboo plantation has, Peter said.

Bamboo creates a logistical nightmare because, for instance, it is not as dense as wood, especially because of the hollow stalks. The quality of paper made from bamboo is also poor.

The IDC concentrates on the viability of manufacturing specific products that must be sold for a profit.

 - Sake24