BCDI imparts training to more than 15 thousand artisans

 

 

 

The Bamboo and Cane Development Institute (BCDI) Agartala in north east state Tripura, which is a lone national institute for bamboo and cane development in the country, has been equipping the artisans of the country with the skills to excel in bamboo craftsmanship for the last 50 years. Talking to The Hitavada, BCDI Agartala In-charge Dr Abhinav Kant said that BCDI had trained more than 15,000 artisans, craftsmen, students and entrepreneurs so far. The institute also empowers communities across the country by promoting sustainable livelihoods, he added. BCDI is strategically located on a sprawling five-acre campus at Institute Lane in Agartala, Tripura. Established in 1974 by Government of India, BCDI holds the distinction of being the oldest institute in the country dedicated to bamboo craft. For nearly five decades, BCDI has been at the forefront of bamboo-based skill development and capacity-building activities. The institute has played a pivotal role in preserving traditional bamboo crafts while fostering innovation and modernisation in the sector. BCDI’s comprehensive programmes have not only equipped artisans with the necessary skills to excel in bamboo craftsmanship but have also empowered communities by promoting sustainable livelihoods, said the BCDI In-charge.

 

With its rich legacy and a strategic location in the heart of Tripura, BCDI continues to serve as a vital hub for the promotion, education, and development of the bamboo sector in India, he added. There are around 1500 varieties of bamboo in the world and around 140 varieties of bamboo are found in India of which 18 varieties of bamboo can be seen in Tripura. Presently, BCDI boasts a range of facilities that contribute to its multifaceted approach to fostering growth and development in the bamboo sector such as Advanced Bamboo Technology Centre: Equipped with cutting-edge machinery and technologies for efficient bamboo processing and utilization. Design & Product Development Facility: A dedicated space for ideation, design, and the creation of innovative bamboo products. Training workshops and classrooms: Spaces for conducting various skill development programs and workshops. Product Testing Laboratory: A facility where bamboo products can be rigorously tested for quality and performance. Bamboo Pathsaala: A learning environment dedicated to imparting knowledge about identification, processing, and utilisation of bamboo. Bamboo Nursery: A specialised area for cultivating and nurturing bamboo plants. Hostel facility: For residential courses. Education and R&D activities: Engaging in research and educational initiatives to expand knowledge and understanding of bamboo. Skill and Capacity Development: Offering a range of skill development programmes to enhance the expertise of individuals across various aspects of the bamboo crafts sector. Quality bamboo planting material: Ensuring the correct identification of quality bamboo planting material for sustainable cultivation. Consultancy services: Offering consultancy services to individuals and enterprises seeking to engage with bamboo cultivation and value addition. To further accelerate bamboo sector, it has been proposed to upgrade BCDI into the Indian Institute of Bamboo Technology (IIBT), making it the first of its kind in India. IIBT will focus on promoting creativity and innovation across various societal levels by advancing plantation, processing, technology, design, education, business, and entrepreneurship in the bamboo field.

 

This pioneering institution will drive inclusive bamboo development by providing education, skill, innovation, technology, and tools to farmers, artisans, craftsmen, students, teachers, and entrepreneurs. It will empower them with skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the sector, said Dr Abhinav Kant. China, which is the second largest bamboo growing country in the world, grows bamboo in 9 million hectares of land and is the number one bamboo product exporter globally. India is the largest bamboo growing country in the world, with bamboo grown in around 15.59 million hectares of land. However, at present, India is not exporting bamboo products, said Dr Kant. Dr Kant said that bamboo fulfils 11 goals of NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals. If the usage of bamboo products is promoted in the country, cutting of trees will reduce, contributing to pollution control, he added.