Ten-year plan can make India global leader in bamboos: Foundation for MSME Clusters

Foundation for MSME Clusters outlines a 10-year plan to boost India's bamboo sector and compete with China.

“A 10-year plan can transform India’s bamboo sector and help bridge the gap with China,” market leader, the Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) said. 

“India, with 13.96 million hectares of bamboo cultivation, is the second-largest bamboo producer in the world. Yet, its contribution to the global bamboo market stands at a modest 3-4%, starkly overshadowed by China’s dominance at 65%,” said Mukesh Gulati, Executive Director, Foundation for MSME Clusters (FMC) in a note. 

“This glaring disparity underscores the need for a concerted effort to unlock India’s untapped potential and elevate the bamboo sector to rival global leaders,” he said.

Stating that China’s success story is built on a long-term vision supported by systematic implementation, he said the foundation of its bamboo industry is private plantations that ensure a steady supply of high-quality raw material. Integrated value chains further amplify China’s efficiency — waste from one process becomes the raw material for another. 

“Despite having a larger area under bamboo cultivation than China, India has not capitalised on its potential due to systemic challenges,” he emphasised. 

Three States namely Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura are leading the charge in reviving India’s bamboo sector. 

While Maharashtra’s Atal Bamboo Samruddhi Yojna promotes private and public bamboo cultivation, supporting rural entrepreneurs, and fostering market linkages for sustainable growth, Madhya Pradesh is integrating bamboo cultivation with employment schemes such as MGNREGA, empowering self-help groups to manage plantations.