DILIMAN, Quezon City—With plenty of industry uses for bamboo, market opportunities for propagators in the country continue to expand.
According to farmer-entrepreneur Karen Ostil-Principe, owner of Lakay nga Lomboy Integrated Farm in Bani, Pangasinan, bamboo can be sold to those involved in construction, manufacturing fish pens, production of toothbrush, baskets and utensils, as well as for makers of bamboo bikes or “Bambikes”.
“The bamboo species called ‘Bayog’ is suitable for construction purposes because it is very solid,” she said in a radio interview.
At present, there are a total of 13 bamboo species on Lakay nga Lomboy Integrated Farm, which is a certified Learning Site for Agriculture of the Agricultural Training Institute (ATI).
“We have Giant Bamboo, Anos Bamboo, Kiling, Tinik, Thailand Pole, Iron Bamboo, Buddha’s Belly and ornamental bamboo species,” Ostil-Principe said.
Ostil-Principe shared that they found bamboo trees to be low-maintenance once it starts to grow. In the early years, however, frequent watering and monitoring are needed.
To ensure the availability of moisture needed by the plant, Ostil-Principe said that they also put rice husk on top of the soil.
“It is important to observe how the roots, shoots, and leaves grow” she added.
Ostil-Principe talked more about their bamboo-growing venture on the ATI’s teleradyo program on DZRH, “Agri Asenso”, last September 23, 2023. The full interview can be streamed on the ATI’s Facebook page at https://tinyurl.com/w4kufjfa.
