Urban Bamboo Build Lab Sustainable Construction Initiative in Rural Gitega (Songa) Location: Songa commune, peri-urban fringe of Gitega Context: Rapid peri-urban expansion, informal housing, rising demand for cheap, sustainable building materials Project Aim: To pilot bamboo-based construction technologies for affordable housing, small public structures, and climate-resilient urban infrastructure. Key Components: • Establish a Bamboo Build Demonstration Hub on 2 hectares on the outskirts of Gitega (Songa) • Train 60 local youth in bamboo carpentry and prefabricated modular building systems • Construct 3 prototype structures: one community shelter, one market stall cluster, one classroom • Use locally grown Guadua angustifolia and Bambusa balcooa, combined with compressed earth floors Impact Targets (3 years): • Introduce bamboo building materials to 5 Gitega-area neighborhoods and nearby communities • Certify 30 bamboo construction technicians annually • Lower construction costs for community buildings by 20–30% using local bamboo Location: Ngozi Province, hills surrounding Busiga and Tangara communes Context: Steep terrain, degraded hillsides, heavy rainfall causing erosion, high rural population density Project Aim: To reduce hillside erosion and enhance smallholder incomes through intercropped bamboo agroforestry on degraded slopes. Key Components: • Establish pilot bamboo terraces on 50 ha of degraded farmland • Train 200 local farmers in bamboo intercropping with beans, cassava, and banana • Use bambusa vulgaris and dendrocalamus asper (fast-growing, erosion-resistant species) • Develop a village-level bamboo shoot processing unit (for food + sale) • Partner with local cooperatives to produce handcrafted bamboo fencing and baskets Impact Targets (3 years): • Reduce topsoil loss by 40% in pilot zones • Boost household income by 25% through bamboo shoot sales and craftwork • Create 50 permanent jobs in planting, processing, and marketing Green Hills Livelihood Corridor Bamboo Agroforestry in Ngozi Province CURRENT PROJECTS Discover the transformative impact of our two flagship initiatives and explore how each project is pioneering sustainable solutions for tomorrow's challenges. © BNBRC Burundi National Bamboo Research Center is dedicated to the sustainable development, conservation, and utilization of bamboo resources in Burundi. Our work spans scientific research, community education, and the promotion of bamboo-based technologies that support ecological balance and economic development. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice.

Bamboo fibre: A sustainable solution for textile manufacturing Akhtarul Islam Amjad https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bamboo.2024.100088 This review paper provides insights into bamboo fibre, covering its extraction methods, properties and various applications. The initial focus is on the different techniques used to extract bamboo fibre, including mechanical and chemical processes, with an exploration of the advantages and challenges associated with each method. The paper then highlights the unique properties of bamboo fibres, such as their strength , flexibility and sustainability. A thorough analysis of the applications of bamboo fibre is presented, encompassing a wide range of sectors such as textiles, clothing, home furnishings and technical textiles. The review encompasses both traditional uses in clothing and emerging applications in technical and functional textiles. Additionally, the paper addresses the challenges that arise in the utilization of bamboo fibre, including concerns regarding labelling accuracy and environmental claims. Abstract 1. Introduction Fibres are crucial in the textile industry as they determine the characteristics of fabrics and end products. Natural and man-made fibres undergoes various processes to form textiles, and their properties influence the durability, comfort and aesthetics of the final products. Sustainability considerations drive the adoption of eco-friendly options, such as natural and recycled fibres, in modern textile production, with bamboo being highlighted as an excellent choice due to its versatility and minimal environmental impact (Kozłowski and Mackiewicz-Talarczyk., 2020 ). Bamboo, known as the fastest-growing woody plant in the world, surpasses even the most rapid trees, with some species having an impressive growth rate of up to 1 m per day. (Janzen,1976 ). Major producers, such as India, China, and Brazil, dominate the annual market of over 40,000 tonnes of bamboo fibre. Apart from industrial applications, bamboo serves as a crucial resource in many regions for food, fodder and construction (Zuo et al., 2018 ). Bamboo fibres, often obtained from the tall Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J.Houz. commonly known as 'Moso bamboo', have become essential in textile applications. Regenerated bamboo viscose fibres, known for their high cellulose yield, have gained popularity in the market, positioning bamboo as a fashionable and durable eco-friendly building option (Prakash, 2020 ). In the current manufacturing landscape, bamboo culm fibres, known for their exceptional properties, are extensively used to create yarns and fabrics. This includes a wide range of products, such as clothing items such as underwear, sports gear, t-shirts and socks, as well as hygiene items such as sanitary napkins, masks and bandages. Bamboo's characteristics also make it suitable for UV-protective clothing, home furnishings and even food packaging. The growing interest in bamboo stems from its unique and beneficial qualities, leading to the production of bamboo fibre in abundance (Akinlabi et al., 2017 ). The current literature on bamboo fibres within the textile industry lacks a comprehensive review that synthesizes and integrates processing technologies, environmental sustainability and consumer perspectives in a single source. Moreover, there is a pressing need for an exhaustive review that delves into the processing methods of bamboo fibres for textile applications, comparing and contrasting various techniques and assessing their impacts on the final product's quality and properties. 2. Chemical composition and structure of bamboo timber Bamboo is composed primarily of cellulose, hemicellulose , and lignin, along with small quantities of other substances such as aqueous extract, pectin and inorganic substances. The specific chemical composition of bamboo is influenced by the species of bamboo chosen. When it comes to bamboo timbers, the main constituents are cellulose (60%-70%), pentosans (20%-25%), hemicelluloses (20%-30%) and lignin (20–30%) (Mousavi et al., 2022 ). Additionally, there are minor constituents present, including resins, tannins , waxes and inorganic salts. It is worth noting that the cellulose content in bamboo is lower compared to that of cotton. Hemicellulose, on the other hand, is an amorphous substance with a low degree of polymerization. It is distributed among the long fibres and micro fibre of bamboo and easily becomes wet and swells when it absorbs moisture. Lignin, a complex macromolecular compound of the aromatic series, is distributed among the intercellular layers and tiny fibres of bamboo. The colour of bamboo fibre is determined by the presence of lignin. The chemical composition of bamboo is similar to that of hardwoods in terms of proximate chemical compositions, except for higher alkaline extract, ash, and silica contents. The carbohydrate content of bamboo plays a crucial role in its durability and service life [8]. The stability of bamboo against mould, fungal and borer attacks is strongly influenced by its chemical composition. Bamboo, being a natural nanocomposite, possesses multinodes and functional gradient structures at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. All the internodal cells of bamboo grow in a pale, end-to-end arrangement (Imadi et al., 2014 , Akinlabi et al., 2017 , Mousavi et al., 2022 ). 3. Bamboo fibre extraction Bamboo fibre can be obtained through various methods, such as retting, mechanical extraction and chemical extraction. The characteristics exhibited by bamboo products largely depend on whether the bamboo fibre is derived from natural sources or is a regenerated type. The first two methods yield bundles of original or pure bamboo fibres in staple form, while the latter produces bamboo viscose filaments, also known as regenerated bamboo cellulose, which can be further transformed into staple fibres if necessary. In order to extract fibres from the bamboo culm , all three processes begin by splitting bamboo strips directly taken from the culm to eliminate the diaphragm and node. Subsequently, the remaining hollow sections of the stalks are subjected to either mechanical or chemical processing , depending on the intended applications (Tahir et al., 2011 , Liu et al., 2012 ). 3.1. Retting or degumming This process involves the careful removal of fibre bundles surrounding tissue while minimizing damage to the fibres themselves. The quality of the extracted fibres is dependent on the specific conditions used during the retting process (Singh and Dessalegn, 2021 ) Retting can be categorized into different types, including dew retting, enzymatic retting, water retting and chemical retting. Dew retting involves cutting and distributing bamboo stems in a field, where they are exposed to pectinolytic microbes that break down the pectin and release the fibres (Asmarea et al., 2022 ). Enzymatic retting, on the other hand, utilizes pectin-degrading enzymes (pectinase) in a bioreactor to separate the fibres. Water retting relies on anaerobic bacteria to facilitate the separation of fibres. This process entails submerging bamboo culms or stems in open water, such as a pond, river or tank, for specific periods. The outermost region of the plant swells, leading to the growth of decay-causing microorganisms that aid in the removal of pectin and the extraction of the bamboo fibre from weakly bonded matrix and microfibril aggregations(Sisti et al., 2018 ). Researchers have found that bio-retting of bamboo is a gentle and effective pre-treatment process, yielding more consistent fibre quality compared to mechanical retting techniques (Tahir et al., 2011 ;Liu et al., 2017 ; Sisti et al., 2018 ; Singh and Dessalegn, 2021 ). In mechanical retting, a high amount of fibre is extracted but control of the mechanical forces applied to the plant stems is difficult, and it often results in highly variable fibre lengths, containing high amounts of noncellulosic substances, resulting in low quality and being stiff to the touch. These fibres are only used for household and handicraft articles and as reinforcement for composite materials. However, mechanical retting is more efficient than biological retting alone (Liu et al., 2017 ). Chemical retting of bamboo culms can be accomplished using either acidic or alkaline treatments. Various solutions, such as sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and hydrochloric acid (HCl), have been employed in these chemical treatments. Extensive research has been conducted to determine the most effective method of retting, including acid retting, alkali retting, and chemical-assisted natural (CAN) retting. Among these methods, CAN retting has been identified as the most efficient for the pre-treatment of bamboo cellulose in preparation for wet spinning. Additionally, several studies have documented the optimization of process parameters to produce bamboo fibres with desired characteristics (Kaur et al.,2013 ; Sugesty et al., 2015 Sadrmanesh and Chen, 2019 ). 3.2. Mechanical Route of Bamboo Fibre Production The process of mechanical extraction, such as using a decorticator machine, relies on mechanical forces to break the bonds between the fibre and bonded matrix. Initially, the woody parts of the bamboo are cut and crushed, and then treated with natural enzymes to break the bamboo down into a soft, mushy and spongy mass. Fig. 1 shows the simplest way to obtain the bamboo fibre by mechanical extraction. The natural fibres can then be mechanically combed out to obtain individual fibres, which can be spun into yarn (Tahir et al., 2011 ). This process produces a fibre known as natural bamboo fibre. In addition to the decorticator machine, mechanical extraction methods can also involve procedures like steam explosion, heat steaming, high-pressure refinery, crushing and super grinding. These mechanical processes are classified based on the quality of the fibres obtained. Rough-textured fibres are obtained through a sequence of cutting, separation, boiling, and fermentation with enzymes, while fine fibres are obtained through a sequence of boiling, fermentation, washing, bleaching, oil-soaking and air-drying. Compared to chemical methods, mechanical methods of bamboo fibre extraction are considered environmentally friendly. However, they are less preferred by the clothing sector due to being more labour-intensive and expensive (Rocky and Thompson, 2018 , Wu et al., 2021 , Zhao et al., 2024 ). Fig. 1. Bamboo fibre extraction by a. mechanical process and b. chemical process (Imadi et al., 2014 , Majumdar and Pol, 2014 , Zuo et al., 2018 ). 3.3. Chemical route of bamboo fibre production The production of regenerated bamboo viscose fibre involves a chemical process. First, bamboo leaves and the soft inner pith from a hard bamboo culm are extracted and crushed. The Moso bamboo culms used must be free from lignin and hemicellulose (Wu et al., 2021 ). Various techniques, such as acid or alkaline pre-treatment, wet oxidation , steam pretreatment and ammonia fibre explosion, have been explored by researchers to achieve this. The main idea behind the process is to cook the bamboo leaves and culms in strong chemical solvents and then perform alkaline hydrolysis combined with multi-phase bleaching. This process is similar to the conventional viscose manufacturing process, and the resulting product is comparable to rayon or modal (Xu et al., 2007 ; Majumdar and Pol, 2014 ; Periyasamy and Militky, 2020 ). The steps involved in the production of bamboo fibre are as follows (Imadi et al., 2014 , Majumdar and Pol, 2014 , Zuo et al., 2018 ) As shown in Fig. 1 (b), bamboo culms are extracted and crushed. In the steeping and pressing process, the crushed bamboo is soaked in a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution with a concentration of 15% – 20% at a temperature between 200°C and 250°C for one to three hours. This step forms alkali cellulose, which is then pressed to remove excess solution. Further shredding takes place to increase its surface area , facilitating further processing of the cellulose. The shredded cellulose is left to dry for 24 hours in the presence of ambient oxygen for the aging process. Carbon disulfide is added to the cellulose, causing it to gel. Excess carbon disulfide is then evaporated. This process is known as sulphurisation and xanthation. Further, a diluted solution of sodium hydroxide is added to the cellulose sodium xanthogenate, dissolving it and creating a viscose solution consisting of approximately 5% sodium hydroxide and 7% – 15% bamboo fibre cellulose . Afterward, it undergoes ripening, filtration and degassing, and ultimately, the bamboo viscose is wet-spun. This means that it is forced through spinneret nozzles into a diluted sulphuric acid solution, where the cellulose sodium xanthate is solidified and transformed back into bamboo viscose filaments. Essentially, sulphuric acid (H2SO4) acts as a quenching solution, allowing the strands to solidify into fibre and thus enabling them to be spun into yarn (Majumdar and Pol, 2014 , Singh et al., 2017 , Amjad and Kumar, 2023 ). Concerns have arisen frequently over the environmental friendliness of the chemical process involved in bamboo viscose fibre production. Carbon disulfide is known to be toxic, posing a potential threat to factory workers and causing pollution through air emissions and wastewater (Periyasamy and Militky, 2020 ). Moreover, the recovery rate of carbon disulfide in most industries is only around 50%. Additionally, sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid also fall into the category of potentially hazardous chemicals. One solution is to consider a process similar to the lyocell process used in the production of bamboo fibre. In this case, N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) is used as a solvent, and the hardening bath typically consists of a water-methanol solution, both of which are non-toxic. Furthermore, this process operates in a closed-loop system, with 99.5% of the chemicals used being recycled for reuse, resulting in only minimal traces being emitted into the environment (Singh et al., 2017 , Wu et al., 2021 ). 3.4. Combination of mechanical and chemical routes The utilization of this method is more prevalent within the pulp and paper sector as opposed to the textile industry. The bamboo strips undergo a chemical treatment process, which is subsequently followed by either compression moulding or roller milling. The combination of both mechanical and chemical treatments results in better separation of fibres. In this method, bamboo is pretreated with chemical substances to dissolve the lignin, glia, and hemicellulose and to weaken the binding force between fibres. The fibres are then formed by a mechanical external force. The extracted bamboo fibre can be used for processing isotropic composite material. This method of production of bamboo fibre can be used to make a variety of composite materials. The products can be further developed, but the bamboo fibre produced by these methods cannot be used for weaving (Maiti et al., 2022 , Zhao et al., 2024 ) 4. Ecological reasons for using bamboo for textiles and clothing Utilizing bamboo for textiles and clothing is underpinned by several compelling ecological reasons, making it a sustainable alternative in the fashion industry (Liese and Köhl, 2015 ). 4.1. Renewability Bamboo plant as a renewable resource is available in plenty almost every region of the globe and plays a great role in socio-economic development (Wang et al., 2008 ). Bamboo is considered a renewable source primarily due to its rapid growth rate and ability to regenerate quickly after harvesting. Bamboo cultivation requires fewer resources compared to traditional timber forestry . Apart from these, antibacterial characteristic, ecofriendly extraction of the fibre from bamboo, and diverse textile application make it renewable resource for the textile industry (Kozłowski and Mackiewicz-Talarczyk., 2020 ). 4.2. Minimal environmental impact Major species of bamboo requires minimal water for cultivation compared to water-intensive crops like cotton. Additionally, bamboo often thrives without the need for pesticides and fertilizers, reducing the environmental impact associated with chemical use in agriculture . Bamboo can be cut and grown again without hurting the environment around it. it grows back without needing to be planted again (Gupta, and Kumar, 2008 ). The studies by Bahari and Krause (2016) and Restrepo et al. (2016) highlight the potential of utilizing bamboo in manufacturing processes to reduce environmental impact. The research demonstrates that bamboo can serve as a sustainable alternative to traditional materials, such as wood-polymer composites, and significantly decrease carbon footprint. Additionally, Agyekum et al. (2017) found that bamboo bicycle frames have a lower environmental impact compared to aluminum and steel frames, showcasing the benefits of incorporating bamboo into various industries for greener and cleaner products. 4.3. Carbon sequestration and reducing global warming Bamboo grows super-fast and has a notable capacity to absorb carbon dioxide , acting as a carbon sink and contributing to climate change mitigation year-round unlike other forests that become carbon sources during non-growing periods. Numerous global studies have evaluated various bamboo species' carbon fixation abilities using specific metrics. For example, Tang et al. (2016) , found that the carbon sequestration rate (CSR) for certain bamboo species could reach up to 70.11 tCO2/ha/yr (Dendrocalamus giganteus). In another study, a Moso bamboo forest managed for 60 years was projected to sequester 18.69 tCO2/ha/yr, while a younger Moso bamboo forest could sequester 1.86 tCO2/ha/yr within the first five years of planting (Zhang et al., 2020 ). In Assam, India, bamboo forests were estimated to accumulate carbon at rates ranging from 4.77 to 8.43 tCO2/ha/yr. (Chaowana et al., 2021 , Pan et al., 2023 ). 4.4. Reduced water usage Bamboo's lower water requirement for growth makes it a water-conscious choice, particularly in regions facing water scarcity. Growing cotton needs a lot of water, but bamboo does not. In few cases it only needs 500 litres of water to make 1 kg of biomass, and does not need extra watering (Nayak and Mishra,2016 ) 4.5. Eco-friendly and biodiversity conservation Bamboo fibre comes from plants, so it is natural and breaks down in the soil with the help of microorganisms and sunlight. Clothes made from bamboo can be composted and disposed of in an environmentally friendly way. Bamboo forests support biodiversity by providing habitats for various species. Sustainable bamboo cultivation practices help maintain diverse ecosystems. Connected rhizome bamboos are often regarded as a viable option for enhancing soil properties in a relatively brief timeframe, owing to their extensive root system . It is worth noting, however, that the majority of these assertions are based on anecdotal evidence. However, a few researchers have made efforts to validate these assertions by conducting data analysis. Tardio et al. (2018) , and Hairiah et al. (2020) highlights how bamboo’s deep roots help anchor soil, preventing erosion and promoting stability. Shinohara et al. (2019) underscore bamboo’s effectiveness in reducing soil erosion and enhancing soil health, making it a crucial ally in long-term soil conservation. 5. Properties of bamboo fibres The essential properties of textile fibres play a pivotal role in determining the success of the spinning process and the quality of the final textile product . The length-to-diameter ratio, strength , cohesiveness, and torsional rigidity are fundamental characteristics that directly impact efficiency and spinnability. Achieving a harmonious balance among these properties is crucial for producing high-quality yarns suitable for diverse textile applications. Additionally, desirable properties such as fineness, resiliency, uniformity, porosity, lustre, durability and commercial availability further contribute to the overall performance and aesthetic appeal of textile materials. These properties are not only essential for the conversion of fibres into yarns but also influence the end product’s texture, appearance, breathability and longevity (David and Pailthorpe, 2002 , Harwood and Smith, 2020 ). Bamboo fibre possesses all the necessary and desirable properties to be utilized as a textile fibre. However, the characteristics of bamboo fibres tend to vary over time due to the decrease in cellulose concentration as they age. Additionally, the method used to extract the fibre significantly impacts the quality of the final product. Bamboo pulp fibre , similar to viscose rayon, is produced through solution spinning, resulting in comparable structure and properties (Sfiligoj Smole et al., 2013 ). Moreover, chemical procedures, in comparison to steam explosion and mechanical processing methods, require less expensive equipment, consume less energy and offer greater control over fibre qualities. Furthermore, different extraction methods have varying degrees of success in removing lignin, which contributes to the stiffness and yellowing of bamboo fibres. Non-cellulosic components also influence fibre properties such as strength, density, moisture absorbency and flexibility (Majumdar and Pol, 2014 , Singh et al., 2017 , Kozłowski and Mackiewicz-Talarczyk, 2020 ). Fabrics woven from mechanically extracted fibres tend to be rough and stiff, while those woven from viscose-type chemical processes have a soft feeling and good drape. Additionally, mechanically processed fibres exhibit higher strength and durability. These differences can be attributed to changes in the physical form of the fibre during chemical processing , resulting in alterations in molecular orientation and polymerization degree. Consequently, yarns and fabrics produced from each manufacturing process behave differently (Gericke and Van der Pol, 2010 , Khalil et al., 2012 ; Prakash et al., 2013 ). 5.1. Dimensional and morphological properties of bamboo fibre Bamboo fibre, obtained from the mechanical extraction process, differs from other bast fibres like ramie and jute in terms of its fineness and shorter length. The dimensional parameter depends on the extraction method. Mechanically extracted bamboo fibre ranges in length from 5 mm to 5 cm, with an average length and diameter of 22.8 mm and 150 μm, respectively. Lengths less than 12.5 mm do not contribute to the yarn manufacturing. These fibres are typically found in bundles consisting of 10–20 individual fibres. Due to their short length, it is challenging to process them into yarn and fabric. Consequently, they are commonly utilized as technical fibres in the production of nonwovens. Regenerated bamboo (chemically processed) fibre can be obtained with long length and pre-decided diameter. Bamboo fibres have a rough surface and a circular cross-section with a small round lumen. The composition of bamboo fibres includes 36–41% cellulose, 22–26% lignin, and 16–21% pectin (Sadrmanesh and Chen, 2019 , Malekzadeh et al., 2021 ). On the other hand, bamboo viscose is derived from the chemical extraction process and possesses distinct properties. It is classified as cellulose II, characterized by low crystallinity and high-water retention and release ability. Bamboo viscose is found in the form of filaments, which are continuous and long strands of material that can be converted into the desired staple length (Xu et al. 2007 ). The cross-sectional shape of bamboo viscose fibres can vary, influencing the packing density of the yarn and subsequently affecting the mechanical behaviour of fabrics under low stress. The cross-section of bamboo viscose fibre has been observed to be irregular and toothed, indicating similarities in longitudinal and cross-sectional morphology with regular viscose rayon fibre. Additionally, bamboo viscose fibres exhibit striated cracks along their length and numerous voids in their cross-section, both of which indicate a good water retention capacity (Li et al., 2019 ; Prakash, 2020; Prakash et al., 2013 ). 5.2. Mechanical properties The durability of bamboo fibre is determined by various factors such as tensile strength , flexural strength , tensile load , elasticity and moulding capability. When compared to flax and jute, fabric made from mechanically extracted bamboo fibre exhibits superior resistance to pilling and abrasion under both dry and wet conditions (Chen et al., 2017 , Li et al., 2019 ). Natural bamboo fibres show lower shrinkage, higher dye sorption, better colour clarity, increased wrinkle resistance and improved lustre without mercerization when compared to cotton fabrics. Xu et al. (2007) compared the properties of bamboo viscose fibres to those of viscose rayon, cotton and modal fibres. Their findings revealed that bamboo viscose and viscose rayon have similar dry tenacity, elongation at break and moisture absorption properties. However, the wet tenacity of bamboo viscose was slightly higher than that of viscose rayon. Bamboo viscose also had lower tenacity than cotton and modal fibres, both in dry and wet states. Bamboo fibre is used for versatile applications with other textile fibres such as cotton, hemp, modal, lyocell and others. This has resulted in a wide range of fabric properties. Among these blends, bamboo viscose fabric stands out in terms of tensile extensibility when compared to both cotton and the cotton/bamboo viscose blend fabrics (Prakash et al., 2013 , Jais et al., 2023 ). On the other hand, researchers have explored the inherent strength properties of bamboo fibres and cotton bamboo blends, revealing remarkable tensile strength. This finding confirms the potential of bamboo fibres to enhance the overall tensile performance of fabric blends. This suggests reduced comfort and lower hand values in fabrics containing cotton, highlighting the importance of considering material interactions in fabric blends. Furthermore, the overall bending rigidity of cotton fabric was higher due to its inherent stiffness and larger diameter of constituent yarn compared to bamboo viscose and viscose rayon yarns . The total hand value, which indicates the overall feel and texture of the fabric, was found to be higher for viscose rayon and bamboo viscose fabrics compared to cotton fabric (Wang et al., 2014 , Kaur et al., 2016 , Jais et al., 2023 ). 5.3. Moisture and heat management properties Fabrics made from natural bamboo fibre possess hollow cross-sections, allowing them to breathe and providing a cool and comfortable wearing experience. However, the variability in length of such fibres leads to difficulty in yarn and fabric manufacturing. So chemically extracted fibre is dominantly used to make the fabrics. Such fabrics also possess moderate moisture management capabilities. The presence of micro-gaps and micro-holes in the fibre contributes to its excellent wicking ability, effectively drawing moisture away from the skin and facilitating quick evaporation, resulting in a cooling sensation (Basit et al., 2018 ). Moreover, the large number of micro-cracks and grooves on the fibre surface enhances the breathability and moisture regulating properties of the fabrics, surpassing those of cotton and hemp. These fabrics also have high hygroscopicity , enabling the fibres to absorb water up to three times their weight, making them easy to dye and finish (Ramamoorthy et al., 2015 , Oner, 2019 ; Kushwaha et al., 2023 ). The fibre derived from the mechanical extraction process of bamboo retains many of the plant’s original properties. However, it should be noted that the washing fastness of these fabrics is unsatisfactory, even under normal washing conditions. Despite this drawback, bamboo fibre offers desirable characteristics such as comfort, aesthetics and processing advantages, including moisture absorption, permeability, softness, pleasant tactile sensation and excellent dye-ability (Nayak and Mishra, 2016 , Malekzadeh et al., 2021 ). Additionally, the thermal properties of bamboo fibre have been explored, revealing fabrics with enhanced thermal conductivity and potential benefits for heat dissipation. As a result, bamboo fibre has gained significant popularity in the textile industry and is widely used in yarn and fabric production due to its unique properties (Majumdar et al., 2010 , Oner, 2019 ). 5.4. Anti-bacterial properties The antibacterial activity of bamboo is its most advantageous property when it transitions from plant to fibre form. This is due to the presence of a bacteriostasis bio-agent called ‘bamboo-kun,’ specifically 2.6-bimethoxy-p-benzoquinone, which provides natural resistance to microbes on the plant. Additionally, the protein dendrocin found in bamboo exhibits highly distinctive fungal resistance (Afrin et al., 2012 ). These beneficial substances are tightly bound to the bamboo cellulose molecule, allowing them to persist even after mechanical processing. As a result, bamboo fabric made from such bamboo fibres effectively eliminates bacteria and mildew , unlike other cellulosic fabrics that promote their growth, leading to unpleasant odours and potential fibre degradation. The medicinal (anti oxidant) use of bamboo in ancient Chinese medicine can be attributed to this property (W , Prakash et al., 2021 ). A study conducted by the National Textile Inspection Association of China (NTIA), Shanghai, Microorganism Research Institute, and Japan Textile Inspection Association revealed that bamboo fabric retains significant antibacterial properties even after undergoing 50 washes. Another factor contributing to bamboo’s inherent bacterial resistance is the presence of chlorophyll and sodium copper chlorophyllin , which act as antibiotics and deodorizers. Softness and good moisture retention property of bamboo fabric leads the comfort to the wearer when it is used near to skin (Hardin et al., 2009 ; Feng et al., 2023 ). Moreover, the absence of free electrons in bamboo fibres makes the resulting fabric antistatic, allowing it to fit comfortably against the skin and drape lightly over the body without clinging (Chen, and Guo, 2007 ). Despite the fact that mechanically processed bamboo fibres have been recognized for their ability to resist pest and fungi infestation due to the antimicrobial properties of bamboo, disagreement exists amongst researchers about the anti-bacterial properties of regenerated cellulose-based bamboo fibres. However, some argue that bamboo viscose fibres do exhibit antibacterial, antifungal and UV protection properties (Teli and Sheikh, 2013 , Mishra et al., 2012 ) Bamboo fibre is renowned for its inherent ability to provide natural protection against UV rays, making it an ideal material in the textile industry, particularly for sun-exposed clothing. Extensive research has shown that natural bamboo fibre boasts an impressive Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), signifying a substantial increase when compared to ramie and viscose, (Mishra et al., 2012 ; Hatua et al., 2013 ). Moreover, studies have indicated that bamboo fabric exhibits lower reflectivity than other materials like flax and cotton, indicating its efficacy as a UV radiation absorber. The presence of sodium copper chlorophyllin in bamboo fibre is noteworthy, as it possesses a UV absorption capacity that is twenty times higher than that of cotton fibre . Furthermore, the density of bamboo fibres plays a crucial role in blocking UV rays. The tightly packed structure of bamboo fibres creates a formidable barrier that minimizes the penetration of harmful UV radiation (Teli and Sheikh, 2013 , Mishra et al., 2012 ). 5.5. UV protection 5.6. Eco values of organic bamboo Organic bamboo fabric, also known as virgin bamboo, possesses the remarkable quality of being fully biodegradable in soil without releasing harmful pollutants such as methane. This natural fibre , derived from bamboo, is celebrated as a sustainable and environmentally friendly textile material for the modern era. Consequently, garments crafted from pure bamboo have an insignificant impact on the environment. Unlike synthetic fibres, which persist in landfills for extended periods, bamboo clothing can be composted organically (Saha and Mandal, 2020 , Plakantonaki et al., 2023 ). 6. Bamboo fibre in the form of various textile products and applications Bamboo fibre is extensively utilized in the textile industry due to its distinctive characteristics, finding versatile applications in textile forms, including yarns, and woven and knitted fabrics. Fig. 2 illustrates the use of bamboo fibre in various textile forms. Bamboo yarn is a continuous filament composed of fibres. Knitted bamboo fabric is created by interlocking loops of bamboo yarn, resulting in a flexible and stretchable material that is commonly used in the production of comfortable and breathable clothing. On the other hand, bamboo woven fabric is formed by the interlacing of two sets of yarn at right angles, producing structured and durable textiles that are suitable for garments and upholstery. In contrast, nonwoven bamboo fabric is manufactured directly from fibres without the need for weaving or knitting. This type of fabric finds applications in a wide range of products, such as filters, wipes and medical textiles. Bamboo fibre is also used for functional clothing and incorporates specialized features, such as moisture-wicking or UV protection, which enhance performance and comfort (Gericke and Van der Pol, 2010 , Prakash et al., 2021 , Zhao et al., 2024 ). Fig. 2. : Various textile forms of bamboo fibre (Gericke and Van der Pol, 2010 , Amjad and Kumar, 2020 , Prakash et al., 2021 , Zhao et al., 2024 ). Bamboo fibre is particularly favoured for creating soft and breathable garments such as T-shirts, underwear, socks and sportswear. Fabrics made from bamboo yarns possess a smooth texture and exceptional draping qualities, which contribute to their widespread popularity. In the realm of intimate clothing, bamboo fibres are employed to manufacture a diverse range of products, including sweaters, bathing suits, lingerie, and blankets. Notably, the natural anti-bacterial properties of bamboo make it an ideal choice for undergarments, snug t-shirts and socks, providing a natural defence against microbial intruders. Moreover, bamboo's ability to block ultraviolet radiation makes it a highly sought-after material for summer clothing, particularly for safeguarding pregnant women and children. Furthermore, its hypoallergenic and soft nature renders it perfect for baby clothing and accessories (Kaur et al., 2016 , Rocky and Thompson, 2020 ). The use of bamboo fibre in decorating and home textiles is continuously expanding, thanks to its antibacterial and ultraviolet-resistant properties. Wallpaper and curtains made from bamboo fibre effectively absorb ultraviolet radiation across various wavelengths (Akinlabi et al., 2017 ). Additionally, bed linens, towels and curtains crafted from bamboo fibre offer natural antimicrobial benefits. Bamboo towels and bathrobes provide a soft and comfortable feel, along with excellent moisture absorption. The antibacterial properties of bamboo fibre prevent the growth of bacteria and eliminate unpleasant odours. The popularity of indoor bamboo fibre in textiles and home decor is on the rise, making it more easily accessible than ever before. Bamboo fabric has proven to be highly beneficial in the realm of activewear, as it effectively wicks away moisture and allows for breathability, ensuring optimal comfort during physical activities . Furthermore, bamboo fabric is also utilized in the creation of lightweight accessories such as scarves, hats and gloves, providing both comfort and style (Karthikeyan et al., 2016 ). In the field of sanitary materials, bamboo fibres are widely employed in various items including bandages, masks, surgical attire and nurses' uniforms. The inherent sterilizing and bacteriostatic properties of bamboo fibres make them highly advantageous for sanitary applications such as sanitary towels, gauze masks, absorbent pads and food packaging. Importantly, the natural antibacterial function of bamboo fibres eliminates the need for artificial antimicrobial agents, ensuring that these products do not cause skin allergies. Moreover, the competitive pricing of bamboo sanitary materials makes them accessible and appealing in the market (Lipp-Symonowicz et al., 2011 , Tausif et al., 2015 ). Bamboo non-woven fabric, derived from pure bamboo pulp, shares similar characteristics with viscose fibres. However, bamboo exhibits remarkable potential in various hygiene products such as sanitary napkins, masks, mattresses and food-packaging bags, owing to its inherent ability to resist bacteria (Min et al., 2019). Furthermore, bamboo textiles have found application in the reinforcement and utilization of biocomposites . The inclusion of bamboo fibres enhances the performance of composite products. Bamboo, as a natural fibre composite , has emerged as a superior alternative to previously used materials. Its advantageous properties include being eco-friendly, cost-effective, lightweight, non-toxic and biodegradable. Additionally, bamboo textiles are utilized in geotextile applications. Geotextiles are specialized fabrics that enhance the engineering performance of soil. The unique antibacterial and bacteriostatic bio-agent properties of bamboo fibres make them highly resistant to pathogens and play a crucial role in reducing soil loss (Saha and Mandal, 2020 , Santos et al., 2021 ). 7. Concern related to bamboo and labelling of bamboo fibre Bamboo fibres have been surrounded by numerous uncertainties, leading to confusion among users. In the late 2000s, textile manufacturers, especially those operating online, extensively promoted bamboo fabrics, claiming that they possessed a luxuriously soft texture, deeper colours than cotton, exceptional UV protection and natural antimicrobial properties. These claims were supported by the assertion that bamboo was grown in an eco-friendly manner. However, to verify the accuracy of these assertions, government authorities and researchers worldwide embarked on an investigation to uncover the true nature of the bamboo used in these unique garments (Gericke and Van der Pol, 2010 , Nayak and Mishra, 2016 ). To address these concerns, Hardin et al. (2009) conducted a thorough examination by obtaining samples of these fabrics. Their analysis focused on identifying the fibres and evaluating their antimicrobial activity. The findings revealed that the fibres closely resembled conventional viscose rayon fibre, indicating that they were not genuine bamboo fibres derived from the bast variety. Instead, they were spun from regenerated cellulose sourced from bamboo. Furthermore, the samples did not exhibit any antimicrobial activity, confirming that the fibre was, in fact, a type of rayon and not authentic bamboo. Consequently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took legal action against deceptive sellers for engaging in fraudulent labelling and misleading advertising practices. Collaborative endeavours involving the industry, regulatory bodies, and consumer advocacy groups are imperative in order to tackle these concerns effectively. Several certifications and standards have been formulated and utilized for bamboo textiles to ensure environmental sustainability, ethical sourcing and quality. Fig. 3 shows the various labels that likely indicate genuine textile products. The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 provides assurance that textiles, including bamboo, are devoid of any harmful substances. On the other hand, the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) specifically applies to organic textiles, ensuring that bamboo production adheres to strict environmental and social criteria. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies bamboo that is sourced from responsibly managed forests. USDA Organic certification verifies that bamboo is grown organically, while the Rainforest Alliance Certification promotes sustainability. Assessments such as Cradle to Cradle (C2C) and ISO 14001 evaluate the overall sustainability and environmental management of bamboo products . Fair Trade Certification focuses on ensuring fair labour practices. These various certifications provide consumers and businesses with the confidence to choose bamboo products that align with environmental and ethical standards, thereby promoting responsible sourcing and manufacturing practices. It is important to consider regional variations in certification requirements to ensure compliance with specific standards (Hardin et al., 2009 , Nayak and Mishra, 2016 , Plakantonaki et al., 2023 ). Fig. 3. : Various labels and certifications for the authenticity of the textile products. 8. Challenges and ambiguities of bamboo and bamboo fibres As a fast-growing natural renewable material, bamboo could offer excellent sustainable solutions to reducing the carbon footprint, especially in highly populated regions in the world where bamboo is available in abundance. However, the rapid growth of bamboo, although beneficial in some contexts, can pose challenges in terms of plantation management. Clumping bamboos, like Bambusa vulgaris , have rhizomes that grow vertically and remain close to the original plant, resulting in dense and compact growth within the planted area. On the other hand, running bamboo species produce rhizomes that extend far from the parent plant, allowing them to spread over larger distances. These rhizomes can grow several feet away, Uncontrolled spreading can lead to ecological imbalances, disrupting native vegetation and reducing biodiversity. Bamboo leaves containing phenolic acid that inhibits the growth of other plants, enhancing the competitive advantage of bamboo. Beyond the positive aspects, this expansion can lead to invasive tendencies, reducing biodiversity and altering soil properties. Moso bamboo forests not only invade original forest spaces, leading to a reduction in biodiversity but also induce changes in the soil properties of affected areas. In China, Ying et al. (2016) observed that an evergreen broadleaf forest was more vulnerable to Moso bamboo invasion than deciduous broadleaf and coniferous forests . They found that Moso bamboo had certain edaphic preferences and thrived in warm, moist and sunny areas, with over 70% of the biomass and expansion occurring on slopes of 15°–30° with southerly, southeasterly and easterly aspects. Based on remote-sensing cover maps, Moso bamboo also commonly colonizes riverbank areas (Xu et al., 2020 ). Bamboo has attracted worldwide attention because of its distinctive life history. It is a perennial flowering plant, but many bamboo species remain in a vegetative phase for decades, or even a century, followed by mass synchronous flowering and subsequent death (Janzen, 1976 ). Mass flowering in certain bamboo species, “known as "gregarious flowering," disrupts the plant's life cycle, triggering ecological events with extensive impacts. The aftermath includes bamboo plant deaths, leading to soil vulnerability and environmental damage. Communities relying on bamboo for material and food face disruption, causing an ecological imbalance. The phenomenon attracts rats, particularly Rattus , accelerating their population growth due to the estrogen in bamboo seeds. This surge leads to issues like the depletion of bamboo resources, rat invasion and subsequent famine. Thus, bamboo flowering has a negative effect on the livelihoods of people who depend on bamboo resources and could lead to famine among self-sufficient farmers (Sertse et al., 2011 ). For example, Bambusa balcooa Roxb., B. tulda Roxb., Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex Munro, and Stapletonia arunachalensis (H.B.Naithani) P.Singh, S.S.Dash & P.Kumari all flowered in 2009 in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Subsequently, rodent outbreaks were reported in the flowering area, which caused severe damage to many crops (Kumawat et al., 2014 ). It is therefore essential to acknowledge both the positive aspects and potential ecological drawbacks to provide a balanced and informed perspective on the overall environmental implications of bamboo cultivation and utilization. When thinking about buying bamboo faIric, it is essential to know that it usually costs more than cotton, especially for sustainable bamboo rather than bamboo rayon. Even though growing and harvesting bamboo is done sustainably, most bamboo clothes are made using a chemically intensive process called viscose to create bamboo rayon. The solvent employed in this procedure is carbon disulfide , a hazardous chemical known to pose risks to human reproduction. Its use in manufacturing can potentially jeopardize the health of factory workers and contribute to environmental pollution through both air emissions and wastewater discharge. Although mechanically extracted bamboo fibres are used for composite and technical textiles, much research is still needed on the mechanical extraction of bamboo fibre (Hardin et al., 2009 , Nayak and Mishra, 2016 ). 9. Conclusion The market for bamboo clothing is growing due to its sustainability and unique attributes. Mechanical extraction of bamboo fibre is emerging as more environmentally friendly process in comparison to chemically regenerated bamboo fibre. Due to the false claims, concerns regarding labelling accuracy and certifications are becoming important for bamboo fibre. Bamboo fibre possesses antibacterial properties and provide UV protection, making them highly promising for a wide range of textile applications. Although there are a lot of environmental benefits of bamboo and its fibres, it is crucial to recognize the ecological concerns associated with its rapid and aggressive growth. References Liese and Köhl, 2015 Liese, W., & Köhl, M., 2015. 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Wu, Y. Zhao Ooptimization of process parameters for bamboo fiber extraction by steam explosion J. Nat. Fibers, 21 (1) (2024), Article 2301369, 10.1080/15440478.2023.2301369 Zuo et al., 2018 Y. Zuo, W. Li, P. Li, W. Liu, X. Li, Y. Wu Preparation and characterization of polylactic acid-g-bamboo fiber based on in-situ solid phase polymerization Ind. Crops Prod., 123 (2018), pp. 646-653, 10.1016/j.indcrop.2018.07.024 © BNBRC Burundi National Bamboo Research Center is dedicated to the sustainable development, conservation, and utilization of bamboo resources in Burundi. Our work spans scientific research, community education, and the promotion of bamboo-based technologies that support ecological balance and economic development. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice.

Reading List The following publications have significantly informed our work and offer valuable perspectives on topics discussed throughout this site. These resources provide excellent background for those interested in exploring these subjects further. Read Now LATEST ARTICLES Discover our comprehensive library of expert bamboo articles and insights The China-Africa Bamboo Centre to be Built in Ethiopia Read Now Bamboo Plays an Important Role in Regenerating East African Transboundary Wetlands Read Now A Review on Bamboo Resource in the African Region: A Call for Special Focus and Action Read Now Bamboo in Africa: A green bounty Read Now Bamboo: From Traditional Crafts to Contemporary Design and Architecture Read Now Bamboo Application in Building Design: Case Study of Green School, Bali, Indonesia Read Now What is Bamboo Used For? Exploring 10 Sustainable Applications Read Now Bamboo fibre: A sustainable solution for textile manufacturing Read Now © BNBRC Burundi National Bamboo Research Center is dedicated to the sustainable development, conservation, and utilization of bamboo resources in Burundi. Our work spans scientific research, community education, and the promotion of bamboo-based technologies that support ecological balance and economic development. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice.

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The China-Africa Bamboo Centre to be Built in Ethiopia Bilateral discussion has took place between the 'National forestry and Grass land Administration office for National Afforestation Committee' of china and officials from the Ethiopian Environment, Forest and climate change commission. In an hours of discussion, the parties has agreed to build the Africa-china bamboo center in Ethiopia whose agreement signed and feasibility study has completed before. The Chinese government has granted 400 million Yuan to build the center last September. It was mentioned by the chinise deligates that the issue was discussed between the p.m. of Ethiopia his Excellency Dr. Abiey Ahemed and the Chinese officials last September while the Africa-china road and belt initiative was held. Speaking at the discussion, commissioner to the Ethiopian Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission his Excellency prof. Fekadu Beyene told the deligation that, the relation between China and Ethiopia is strategic and that china stayed a dependable partner to the development of Ethiopia. Professor also explained the team that, Ethiopia has embarked on a new era of enhancing its green development strategy in to the best of its' excellence and that the built of the "Africa-China BAMBOO center in Ethiopia" is very crucial. It was also expressed that the support to the building of "Beautifying Sheger" project by the Chinese government is part of the national green development strategy. The addis project is also mentioned to double its’ importance as the investment is to rebuild the political capital of Africa which stayed the get way to every Africa. Deputy executive director to the Chinese "National Forestry and Grass Land Administration office for national Afforestation Committee" Madam Hu Zhangcui said in the discussion that, the government of china is eager and willing to work and support development projects in Ethiopia. As part of this commitment the director said, the government of China has financing the Africa-china bamboo center and is getting engaged to technical supports of different projects both in Ethiopia and other African countries. Explaining the potential that Ethiopia has both on bamboo and other forest items, the forest sector deputy commissioner to the Ethiopian Environment, Forest and Climate Change Commission excellency Mr. Kebede Yimam said that, the urgent establishment of the bamboo center will speed up the economic and diplomatic benefits of Ethiopia. © BNBRC Burundi National Bamboo Research Center is dedicated to the sustainable development, conservation, and utilization of bamboo resources in Burundi. Our work spans scientific research, community education, and the promotion of bamboo-based technologies that support ecological balance and economic development. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice.

A Review on Bamboo Resource in the African Region: A Call for Special Focus and Action First published: 08 March 2021 https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8835673 Abstract Bamboo forests are undoubtedly one of the most abundant nontimber plants on Earth and cover a wide area of tropical and subtropical regions around the world. This amazing plant has unique rapid growth and can play an important role in protecting our planet from pollution and improving the soil. Bamboo can be used as a biofuel, food, and for architecture and construction applications and plays a large role in the local economy by creating job opportunities. The aim of this paper is to review the extraordinary tropical plant bamboo by explaining the mechanisms related to the growth and strength of bamboo and identifying ways to utilize bamboo in industry, employment, climate change mitigation, and soil erosion reduction. 1. Introduction Bamboo, in the Poaceae family and the Bambusoideae subfamily [1 , 2 ], is one of the most abundant plants in tropical and subtropical regions between 46°N and 47°S [1 , 3 , 4 ]. Bamboo can be the most important economic resource for local people of this area [1 ]. These woody-stemmed grass [2 ] species are known as some of the fastest growing plants in the world, and one native plant in Asia plays an important economic role in the livelihoods of local people living in this area [5 ]. Characteristics, such as fast growth, high biomass, and yield in a short time and high efficiency in few years, have allowed bamboo to be identified as a superior herb [6 ], which is categorized as a nontimber forest product (NTFP) plant [7 ]. Bamboos are used in almost 1500 commercial goods [8 ], which are utilized in many ways, from construction materials, food profiling, and musical instruments [5 ] to the production of paper pulp, fencing, basketry [9 ], water pipes, utensils [10 ], bicycles [11 ], bridges [12 ], and low-rise housing [13 ]. According to the FAO in 2010, bamboo covers more than 31 million hectares of forestland around the world, and more than 60% of it is located in China, Brazil, and India [14 ], while it is abundant in other countries on three continents, namely, Asia, Latin America, and Africa; moreover, bamboo covers more than 0.8% of the forest area in the world [15 ]. Generally, 80% of bamboo forests are in Asia, 10% in Africa, and 10% in Latin America [16 ]. In the world, bamboo contains 1225–1500 species in approximately 75–105 genera [17 ]. Among these countries, China, with more than 500 species in 39 genera, is one of the countries with native bamboo, which is called “The Kingdom of Bamboo” [18 ], where bamboo covers more than 6.01 million hectares of China's forests [19 ]. This amazing herb famously has different local names in Asia and is called “friend of people,” “wood of the poor,” and “the brother” in China, India, and Vietnam, respectively [20 , 21 ]. One of the most important features of bamboo is the rapid rate it reaches maturity, which can be three years, while other woods need approximately 20 years to reach maturity. The bamboo growth rate is also stunning; in some reported cases, it is approximately two inches per hour, and the height can reach 60 feet in only 3 months [22 ]. All these reasons have led to an increase in Chinese bamboo forests from 4.21 to 6.01 mil·ha (43%) from 1998 to 2013 [23 ]. Bamboo has great potential for use in construction because it has nodes, which improve bending and tensile strengths and can be compared with steel and cement [24 ]. Bamboo is a renewable bioresource that can have a short period of growth with a high CO2 fixation rate [25 ]. Bamboo can absorb approximately 3.73 cubic meter of CO2, which means it can absorb the equivalent of carbon dioxide emissions from approximately 2 cars in one day and 1.83 kg carbon in less than one month, so it can be a good option for reducing global warming and climate change [26 ]. Bamboo is one of the most economical forest plants, and new applications of bamboo are found every few years. In recent years, the entry of bamboo into the textile industry has created antibacterial and UV absorption bamboo clothing, which is caused by a characteristic of lignin in the bamboo fiber [27 , 28 ]. One experiment on the removal of two bacteria, S. aureus and E. coli, showed that the use of the bamboo fiber led to the maintenance of 88% of the antibacterial properties after 20 washes, as well as anti-UV properties, which increased from 8.16 to 18.18 when using bamboo pulp fibers [29 ]. In general, today's bamboos play a considerable role in human life, and they cover a wide range of human needs from environmental protection to use as home appliances. The aim of writing this paper is to identify the most commonly utilized bamboo for researchers by describing the mechanisms available in this unique plant. Below are the most important ones. 2. Bamboo Is Uniquely Tall and Fast Growing Bamboos belong to the Poaceae (Gramineae) family, and they are known to be a fast-growing and the tallest species in this family [30 , 31 ]. The bamboo rhizomes in bud sites lead to the emergence of new bamboo shoots, which expand into a new culm [32 ]. Bamboo culms emerge in spring, while bamboo root systems and rhizomes expand throughout the year, but growth will increase during the summer and autumn [33 ]. Culms are divided into nodes, and nodes are separated from each other by internodes [34 ]. In bamboo, growth stages have three steps, and they are made with changes in the cell's structure, which include division, expansion, and hardening of cell walls [35 ]. According to the definition of these 3 steps in the bamboo life cycle, cell division is related to regulation of hormone interaction between plants, while in the cell expansion cycle, cells can be expanded with the process of cellulose synthesis by turgor pressure. In addition, secondary cell wall deposition leads to hardening in cell walls [36 ]. On the other hand, in addition to cellular processes, bamboo elongation is dependent on physiological structure, such as lignification. The lignification process is different for various plants, but it generally has 3 mechanisms in the stem, which include the polymerization of lignin precursors, transport, and biosynthesis. The identification of distribution and content of lignin is important to determine the critical period of bamboo elongation and biomass. The results of one study indicated that when the content of lignin in the culm reaches half of the mature culms at the end of June, growth elongation became complete [37 ]. However, the most important reason involved in the explosive growth of bamboo is related to nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs). Generally, the main products obtained by photosynthesis are soft carbohydrates (SCs) and nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs), of which SCs are composed of pectin hemicelluloses, lignin, and cellulose but NSCs include starch and soluble sugars. NSCs are large and as a source of carbon play a vital role in exploring the period of time of bamboo shoot growth when it cannot provide carbon independently. In one study, it was shown that when shoots are growing, NSCs are simultaneously being transferred from their branches, leaves, rhizomes, and trunks to shoots, and this transfer stops when young shoots obtain enough photoassimilates and enough carbon [38 ]. The rate of bamboo growth in the culm is different and dependent on species, but it can be from 9.7 to 24.5 cm·d−1 for Bambusa oldhamii (synonyms Leleba oldhami) and Phyllostachys makinoi [39 ], respectively, to more than 100 cm·d−1 for Phyllostachys edulis [40 ]. This range of culm growth in different bamboo species can be between 7.5 and 100 cm−1 [41 ]. 3. Bamboo Protects O2 and CO2 on Earth Bamboo plants, with more than 40 million hectares around the world, are one of the most important plants in improving climate change due to the high bamboo biomass stocks and carbon storage [42 ]. Bamboo can sequester and capture atmospheric carbon within its lifespan, which can offset CO2 emissions by storing high concentrations of CO2 in the hollow parts of bamboos. CO2 effluxes have been reported from culm, buds, and nodes [43 ]. Many studies have reported the role of bamboo forests in global carbon cycling [44 –49 ]. Among bamboo species, moso bamboo, which represents 75% of all bamboo forest area in China [19 ], has been known as a carbon sink and has a high ability for carbon sequestration [50 –52 ]. Carbon in the bamboo rhizome system can be transferred to new culms and aerial organs [53 ,54 ]. The average amounts of carbon stored by forests in China and the world are 39 mg·C·ha−1 and 86 mg·C·ha−1, respectively, while this average in bamboo forests in China is 169–259 mg·C·ha−1, which revealed the bold role of carbon stocks of bamboo species in China [55 ]. Bamboos are known to be successful plants at absorbing wastewater from agriculture, industry, animal breeding, and pollution, which can be related to the neutral characteristic in resistance to stresses. Bamboos, through their phytoremediation potential, can clean up polluted soils and can also accumulate silicon in their bodies to alleviate metal toxicity, and this accumulation in nature is up to 183 mg·g−1 of SiO2 [56 ]. In one experiment on the efficiency of three bamboo species on wastewater removal over 2 years, the results showed that the soil-bamboo system could remove 98% and 99% of organic matter and nutrients, respectively [57 ]. Therefore, bamboo is a great recommendation for decreasing the negative effects of climate change and a big sink of carbon in nature, which plays an important role in adjusting and improving human ecosystems [58 ]. 4. Bamboo Binds the Soil Bamboo plays a protective role in decreasing soil degradation, including the reduction of biodiversity, soil nutrient depletion, and soil erosion [59 –61 ]. In one study in a long-term monitoring experiment of bamboo, planting revealed that bamboo can decrease topsoil erosion in sloping croplands [62 ]. However, the intense management of bamboo has a negative effect on the soil microbial functional diversity and soil microbial activity, which are indicators of soil quality [63 ]. However, the results of other studies reported that bamboo as a fine biochar had a positive impact on increasing the microbial community related to size, impacting C cycling by decreasing their soil enzyme activity and led to increasing (higher) CO2 emissions [64 ]. On the other hand, the lack of right management in the annual harvest of shoots and timber for economic purposes led to a decreasing rate of output nutrients to input nutrients in the soil, which, according to the different structures of bamboo compared to other forest plants with high nutrient absorption, can convert forest soil to poor soil [58 ]. Many studies have reported that the biochar is a good application for emendation and decontamination in soil [65 –69 ]. Additionally, with some mechanisms, such as increasing pH in soil, the biochar can lead to the immobilization of heavy metals such as Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn in the soil [70 , 71 ]. In one study, Wang et al. indicated that bamboo as a biochar can reduce mobile fractions of some heavy metals, such as Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn, in soil and enhance the physiological efficiency in soybean exposed to soil contamination by increasing the number and weight of nodules of soybeans in contaminated soil [72 ], which has shown that bamboo species have phytoremediation potential to detoxify soils contaminated with heavy metals with the characteristics of high metal tolerance and extreme biomass production [73 ]. Bamboo charcoal has an important role in adjusting soil pH, enhancing nutrient absorption, and improving soil structure [74 ]. Additionally, bamboo, as a natural material, can improve the ductility and strength of the soil structure. In one study with a combination of bamboo chips with cement, the results showed that bamboo could increase erosion resistance and improve soft ground [75 ]. In general, studies have shown that bamboo can play an important role in improving the soil structure or can bind to the soil. 5. Bamboo Is Strong As a nontimber plant, bamboo is popular worldwide and rapidly produced [76 ]. Bamboo, because of microfiber structures with lignin and hemicellulose (lignin-carbohydrate complex (LCC)), has a greater strength than concrete and steel by weight [77 ], and this strength is due to the thickness of the fiber in the sclerenchyma tissue [78 ]. The diameter of the fibers at the site of the nodes is another factor in the stiffness and bending of the bamboo, so that the fibers wrapped in it hold [79 ]. It prevents the generation of endless bamboo yarns [80 ]. At present, the diameter of these fibers in this region is between approximately 90 and 250 μm, which itself is a resistance factor against bending in bamboo [79 ]. Additionally, bamboo, because of low density (1.4 g/cm³) and high mechanical characteristics, can show high tolerance against pressure and bending [79 ]. The results of some studies have reported that the strength of bamboo is related to thickness, diameter, moisture content, and density, which increase with age, so that the age between 2.5 and 4 years has optimal strength, and then it will decrease after this age [81 , 82 ]. One of the most important cases that indicates the strength of bamboo is the use of bamboo in scaffolding. For many years, bamboo has been used as scaffolding in the construction industry in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Starting 2000 years ago, bamboo scaffolding was considered to have characteristics such as an increase in safety from the practical experience of workers, resistance to moisture, low cost, high adaptability, and for a short period of time, it has been used in the south of China, Hong Kong, and other countries in this area [13 ]. According to the above results, it is concluded that bamboo is one of the strongest tropical plants, with comparable strength to cement and steel. 6. Bamboo Is Flexible Flexibility and fracture toughness of bamboos come from the special cellular material in these plants [83 ]. Bamboo structure consists of fiber, which covers internal structures such as vascular bundles of parenchyma cells and the epidermis [83 , 84 ]. They are also pathways for the growth of the cracks in longitudinal and radial directions [83 ]. Epidermis, as thick sheaths, surround bamboo, while vascular bundles with longitudinal tissues play an important role in the transport of water and nutrients in the bamboo body by organs such as vessels and phloem. On the other hand, other parts are occupied by aerenchyma. However, all of these structures are covered by unidirectionally oriented fibers [85 ], which include 40% of a bamboo culm [86 ]. Bamboo fiber is mainly (90%) three parts, including lignin, cellulose, and hemicelluloses, which have an important role in mechanophysical characteristics of bamboo in flexural strength [22 ] and are related by chemical linkage and physical binding [87 , 88 ]. Therefore, lignin, hemicelluloses, and phenolic acids are involved in the strength of concentrations and covalent bonding in layers of the cell wall [22 ], and this bonding, in addition to increasing the mechanical strength, can lead to the resistance of the cell wall to biological degradation and can be vital for the rigidity of lignin in the cell wall [89 ], leading to the flexible character in bamboos. 7. Bamboo Biofuel Many studies have reported that bamboo, as a forest product, has potential for use as a biofuel, along with other woody plants [74 , 90 –92 ]. Bamboo, because of the high amount of sugar, is known to be a suitable plant for a feedstock of chemical products, such as lactic acid and fuel ethanol [93 ]. It can also be used as biogas [94 ]. Bamboo, as a fast-growing plant with a high yield of lignocellulosic biomass in short time, is considered a good option for use as a biofuel [95 ], such as bioethanol, by the top holocellulose content (high dry weight of more than 70%) [74 , 92 , 93 , 96 ]. Lignocelluloses have abundant sugar resources such as pentose and hexose and can be converted to fuel alcohol [97 , 98 ]. Moreover, bamboo biomass has key characteristics such as low lignin and high cellulose contents and is known to be a suitable material for the production of bioethanol [99 ]; moreover, the possibility of obtaining bioethanol from the SPS hydrolysate of bamboo has been shown [100 ]. It has reported that there is a possibility of extracting 143 L of ethanol in each dry ton of bamboo [99 ]. On the other hand, the process of producing 1 kg ethanol requires 8.5 kg of sulfuric acid, 65.8 L of process water, and 6.2 kg of bamboo [100 ]. Additionally, because of important characteristics such as the alkali index and low ash content [101 ], bamboo can be a good alternative for other woody plants for biofuel purposes [102 ]. However, bamboos need pretreatments, such as an alkaline peroxide treatment to remove rigid lignin, which covers holocellulose components, and these pretreatments can also optimize enzymatic saccharification for the production of sugars [93 ]. On the other hand, bamboo culms are known as resources of bioenergy, which in one experiment, showed that young culms are suitable for bioconversion process [103 ]. Among biofuels, butanol is important because of the ability to produce higher energy without blending with gasoline and the ability to transport it in existing gasoline pipelines [104 ]. In addition, the energy content is higher than that of ethanol [105 ]. The results have shown the high temperature, acid concentration, and time can increase the sugar yield of bamboo, which is obtained by conversion of lignocellulosic biomass in bamboo species to butanol [106 ]. Generally, bamboo can be used as a biofuel and for bioenergy. 8. Bamboo Is Beautiful (Used in Architecture) Bamboo, as a green and sustainable material, has an important role in new architecture, so that in the future, architecture based on green building will be built with bamboo as one of its most important materials. In this case, bamboo is very familiar among scientists because of its energy savings, zero fossil emissions, and environmentally friendly nature [107 ]. A simple comparison of the strength of joints in grains with bamboo joints shows that strength perpendicular to joints and strength parallel in joints in bamboo is 45% and 8% higher than the grains in internode parts [108 ]. Based on the growth factor, bamboo is one of the best options for wood products [16 ]. Bamboo, despite having some disadvantages, including the difficulty of modeling due to hard tissue, a rough texture, and rugged material properties, it still is important for design purposes because of some characteristics such as water resistance, bending resistance, hardness, and environmentally friendly nature [109 ]. Bamboo timbers are luxury woody material used in furniture, flooring, and architecture [110 ]. Among fibers, bamboo is useful because it is an abundant tropical plant, and its material distribution, microstructural shapes, low cost, and easy accessibility make it an excellent material to build woody houses throughout the world [111 ]. Bamboo scrimber, which is produced during processes such as exposing bamboo to hot dry air, has been reported as a good option for use in outdoor landscaping, garden furniture, decoration, and civil engineering. There are several reasons for this: the enhancement of water absorption, width swelling, and thickness in bamboo scrimber [112 ]. Recent studies have shown that bamboo combined with reinforced concrete can increase building (construction) resistance to earthquakes, which can be an important benchmark for the use of these forest resources in earthquake-prone areas [113 ]. The external resistance of bamboos, such as compressive, tensile, and static bending strength, shock and shear resistance, and elastic properties, is related to elements in bamboo including bamboo stalk parts, moisture content, and type of bamboo [108 ]. These properties in bamboo are much greater than those in woods, so that the compressive and tensile strength of bamboo are 20% and 2 times more than those of woods [107 ]. Bamboo, as an agricultural crop, has great potential for use in the design industry and polymer composites [114 ], which are identified as a natural engineering material [22 ]. 9. Bamboo Is Edible (Using Bamboo Shoots as Food) From a long time ago, bamboo shoots have been a tasty food with a high fiber content and have been eaten by the local people in southern Asia, especially in China [63 ,110 ]. Bamboo shoots are powerful sources of fiber, known as dietary fiber, with low fat and calorie contents [115 ]. Bamboo also has necessary amino acids, potassium, antioxidants, selenium [116 ], vitamins, carbohydrates, and protein. However, the Bamboo Age Index is important; in one experiment, Nirmala et al. reported that the amount of vitamins and the mineral content decrease with increasing age of bamboo [117 ]. Thus, young bamboo culm can be a resource for fiber and starch, which can be used for food applications, such as bamboo flour, pasta, meat products, cheese, yogurt, and bread. Additionally, it contains abundant phytosterols and dietary fiber, and it can be found in the commercial market as canned food [118 ]. The bread produced by yeast from bamboo shoot is of high quality. In one experiment, yeast from bamboo shoots was shown to have the highest specific volume with a high moisture content in the content of crust and crumb compared to other commercial yeasts, which makes the bread much softer and brighter and increases the quality of the bread [119 ]. Bamboo shoots are also considered for medical purposes for the treatment and control of cholesterol and diabetes from different products obtained from bamboo shoots, such as bamboo salt and bamboo vinegar [116 ]. On the other hand, in addition to humans, bamboo shoots are beneficial and tasty food for animals. Bamboo shoots are a source food for some rare animals such as African golden monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis kandti), mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) [120 ], and especially panda, which guarantees the survival of the panda generation [121 ]. In general, bamboo, as a beneficial plant with plenty of fiber, plays a considerable role in the food chain of humans and especially in animals. 10. Bamboo Presents Opportunities Bamboo has been known as “poor man's timber” because more than 20 million tons of bamboo is often collected in rural areas by local people, which plays an important role in the local economy [122 ]. In China, there are approximately 200 species and 16 categories of bamboo cultivated for economic and ecological purposes [107 ]. Bamboo planting worldwide is approaching 220,000 km2, which produces 15–20 million tons of products annually [123 ]. It has been estimated that approximately US$2.5 billion of international trade is related to the bamboo industry every year, which directly or indirectly has provided 2.5 million jobs around the world [16 ]. Moso bamboo, as one of the largest species in Asia, has a share of US$5 billion in China's forest product industry each year [124 , 125 ]. Based on the reports of the State Forestry Administration of China in 2012, bamboo products have shown a significant increase of approximately US$19.7 billion [126 ]. There is one small market of bamboo, which is called the traditional market of bamboo, that directly provides income to local people, and these market products include chopsticks, handicrafts, bamboo shoots (food), and medicine. However, often bamboo businesses have been obtained by emerging markets, which use the woody timber of bamboo for flooring, roofing, construction, architecture, and furniture, which makes it responsible for almost 3–7% of the timber trade in the tropical and subtropical areas [122 ]. In general, all these statistical reports represent the important role of bamboo in local economies, as well as providing job opportunities. 11. Conclusion Bamboo is known as an ancient grass with woody timber that covers 1–3% of all tropical and subtropical areas. Bamboo has many uses, mainly in construction (flooring, roofing designing, and scaffolding), furniture, food, biofuel, fabrics, cloth, paper, pulp, charcoal, ornamental garden planting, and environmental characteristics, such as a large carbon sink and good phytoremediation option, improving soil structure and soil erosion. Bamboo has the highest growth rate of all tropical plants. After emerging as a shoot, bamboo can complete the growing process in both diameter and height in 35–40 days. The growth rate has been observed at up to one meter per day, that is, approximately 2.5 cm per hour. This extraordinary power of growth is due to the bouncy properties of the nodes and the intracellular structures of internodes. For thousands of years, bamboo has been an economic source of livelihood and a natural workshop for the employment of local people. However, in recent decades, this economic resource has expanded out of its border and has led to the creation of jobs for many people around the world, such that it has provided 2.5 million jobs around the world. Bamboo as a green and sustainable material plays an important role in new architecture, so that in the future, architecture based on green building will be built with bamboo as one of its most important materials. In this case, bamboo is very familiar among scientists because of its energy savings, zero fossil emissions, and environmentally friendly characteristics. The ability to use bamboo as a timber wood, with special characteristics such as being lightweight, low in cost, and having high performance, makes it a green material in construction and architecture. Flexibility and fracture toughness of bamboos come from the special cellular material in these plants. Bamboo protects the planet. Bamboo forests can reduce the negative effects of global warming so that bamboo can store and absorb carbon and CO2 in its organs, and as one phytoremediation option, it can also detoxify environmental contaminations. Bamboo binds the earth so that bamboo as a biochar can improve soil structures; thus, bamboo has a protective role in decreasing soil degradation, including the reduction of biodiversity in soil nutrient depletion and soil erosion. Because bamboo has a high yield of lignocellulosic biomass in a short time, it is considered a good option for use as a biofuel. Bamboo shoots, as a tasty food with high fiber content, have been eaten by local people in southern Asia, especially in China. Additionally, bamboo products obtained from the bamboo shoots are used in traditional medicine to control many diseases, including diabetes and cholesterol. So, all of these factors indicate the importance of recognizing this tropical plant. It seems that the most bottleneck problems existing in bamboo are related to lack of awareness of bamboo potentials and as well as a lack of enough attention to the development of marketing in this sector. So, the governmental organizations and national campaigns can help to raise awareness about bamboo. In this regard, it can be used from the experiences of leading countries in this field such as China. Due to the high demand for the use of environmentally friendly green products, the global bamboo market is expected to grow substantially in the near future. On the other hand, use of bamboo woods as one low-cost construction material encourages countries to use bamboo in the development of cities and villages, which can greatly contribute to the development of the bamboo trade in the world. 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Bamboo in Africa: A Green Bounty Author: Fred Hornaday https://bambubatu.com/bamboo-in-africa-a-green-bounty/ Pyramids, diamond mines and safaris through the Serengeti, just a few things that come to mind when we think of Africa. And somewhere, near the bottom of a very long list, we might encounter bamboo. But Africa, a continent shrouded in mystery, is actually home to a surprising abundance of the miracle grass, bamboo. After Asia and South America, Africa is the third richest continent in terms of bamboo species. Bamboo is common in most of sub-Saharan Africa, from Ethiopia all the way down to South Africa and Madagascar. The continent is home to at least four genera of native, tropical, clumping bamboo, including Cathariostachys, Cephalostachyum, Oxytenanthera and Schizostachyum; and a handful of temperate bamboos, belonging to Bergbambos, Oldeania, Thamnocalamus and Yushania. Other varieties of bamboo are also cultivated commercially in Africa. It’s a resilient crop, as well as a sustainable and affordable alternative for building materials in developing countries. In the following article — first published in December 2020 and most recently updated in January 2025 — we’ll take a closer look at which bamboo varieties grow in which parts of Africa. We’ll also talk about some of the ways in which Africans are cultivating bamboo as a cash crop, a carbon sink, and a renewable building material. The tropic and subtropic regions of the continent are ideal for growing bamboo, and in these less industrial parts of the world, it provides an economical and ecological means of subsistence. Bamboo native to Africa Despite whatever preconceptions you might have about where in the world bamboo grows, there’s actually an enormous diversity of species within this subfamily of grasses. You can find bamboo growing in tropical jungles of the Amazon, the cool slopes of the Himalayas, and the wetlands of America’s Deep South. Of course, it also flourishes throughout China and Japan. No surprise then that the vast and verdant continent of Africa would be home to a plethora of bamboo varieties. The tropical rainforests and subtropical savannas actually offer an ideal setting for these vigorous grasses. And Ethiopia is home to the lion’s share, about two-thirds of the continent’s indigenous bamboo. Classification of clumping bamboo As a general rule, most of the tropical and subtropical bamboo species tend to have a clumping growth habit. These are in the Bambuseae tribe. Running bamboos spread more vigorously and are typically native to more temperate climates, like central China and Japan. They belong to the Arundinarieae tribe. But there are a number of exceptions in central Asia, especially around the Himalayas. And Africa also has its share of anomalies, classified as Arundinarieae but with compact, clumping rhizomes. Most of the native bamboo on the continent are tropical clumpers, belonging to one of three genera. But a few other genera, with less speciation, include an assortment of temperate clumping bamboo varieties, widespread in the highlands of East Africa and South Africa. Common Bamboo Bambusa vulgaris, or common bamboo, is particularly widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, but it’s hard to say if it’s truly native to the continent. Many believe that it originated in southern China and spread across the globe with the help of sailors, botanists and explorers. In any case, it is a prolific species and a useful one. It is frequently propagated and cultivated for its usefulness as a construction material. This species has a variety of cultivars, including some bright, golden ornamental species with remarkable striping. The African varieties, however, tend to be dark green in appearance. They can grow to about 50 feet tall and 3 to 4 inches in diameter. New varieties of African temperate bamboo The classification of bamboo can be a challenging undertaking. There are currently between 90 and 120 genera, and anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 species and cultivars. But recent discoveries in Africa point to two new genera of bamboo. Bergbambos and Oldeania are closely related to, but apparently distinct from Borinda, Fargesia, Thamnocalamus, and Yushania. Like those other genera, they have short, pachymorph (clumping) rhizomes and smooth, thornless culms and branches. But they exhibit subtle differences in their flowers and sheath formations. As for now, the two genera are monotypic, meaning they each only have one species. Bergbambos tessellata, like Thamnocalamus tessellatus, grows exclusively in the mountains of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Oldeania alpina can be found throughout tropical Africa, from Cameroon in the west to Ethiopia and Tanzania in the east. Like bamboo in montane China, which feeds the giant panda, this species provides essential sustenance for Africa’s endangered mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei). Cultivating bamboo in Africa With the growing popularity of bamboo and the increasing pressure of climate change, Africa has recently looked to this miracle grass as a crop that can reduce poverty and live up to the highest standards of sustainability. Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, from Ghana to Ethiopia to South Africa to Cameroon, bamboo farming is catching on. International organizations are working with African farmers and entrepreneurs to improve local incomes and global outcomes. Below are a few of the more noteworthy bamboo projects and activities currently underway on the green continent. Bamboo in Ethiopia Believe it or not, Ethiopia — a country more commonly associated with drought and famine — actually has the most bamboo of any African country, covering about one million hectares. Yushania alpina and Oxytenanthera abyssinica both thrive here, in the mountains and lowlands respectively, as they do in most of sub-Saharan Africa. The Inter-Africa Livelihood Development Program, managed by INBAR (The International Bamboo and Rattan Organization), has promoted bamboo farming and industry in the region, with impressive results. The program has partnered locals from Africa with bamboo experts from China, employing over 1,000 Ethiopians in the bamboo industry. Ethiopians now use bamboo for all manner of crafts and construction, from housing to parasols. In addition to creating economic opportunities for great numbers of small-scale farmers, bamboo cultivation is also countering deforestation, controlling erosion, providing shade, and protecting watersheds. In this way, bamboo is very effective in reducing the risk of further droughts in the country. Bamboo in Ghana The small West African country of Ghana offers excellent habitat for bamboo cultivation, and locals have recently begun to take advantage of that. Alongside indigenous species like Oxytenanthera abyssinica, they have also been cultivating a variety of commercial species, including Dendrocalmus asper and Bambusa balcooa, also called ‘Beema’, a robust tropical bamboo native to India. The Inter-Africa Livelihood Development Program — active in Ethiopia, Cameroon and Madagascar — has also been instrumental in advancing bamboo cultivation and commerce in Ghana. Bamboo in Kenya Neighboring Ethiopia, Kenya has embarked on some of the most ambitious bamboo cultivation in all of Africa. Government ministries and NGOs are working in cooperation to create a bamboo industry that can be competitive in the global marketplace. With this goal in mind, they are cultivating species like Moso (China’s most economically important bamboo species for lumber and textiles), Bambusa long-internode, Asper, and Dendrocalamus membranaceus (a bushy variety from Southeast Asia). Bamboo is an excellent and faster-growing substitute for wood, which locals commonly burn for fuel and energy. Kenyans are also using bamboo groves to protect waterways and restore habitats, especially along the Mara and Njoro Rivers. In September 2020, the government reclassified bamboo from a grass to a crop. This will open the way for even more research and investment in Kenya’s burgeoning bamboo industry. Bamboo in Malawi Landlocked between Zambia and Mozambique along the southwest corner of the Great Rift Valley, Malawi has very little native bamboo. But that hasn’t stopped Jan Oprins and Grant Blumrick from launching Afribam, one of southern Africa’s largest bamboo plantations. Specializing in Dendrocalamus asper, a Southeast Asian species of giant bamboo, Afribam sees bamboo as a crucial tool for addressing many of Malawi’s social and environmental challenges. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 90% of the population living on less than $2 a day. It’s also a hot spot for Malaria and expects to see this health problem worsening as climate change brings higher temperatures. And like other tropical regions, the country has seen its own share of deforestation, losing 10% of its forests since 2001. Bamboo can play a key role in restoring forests and at the same time provide economic opportunity for subsistence farmers. And in the battle against Malaria, Malawians are recognizing the capacity for bamboo groves to soak up the stagnant water that serves as a breeding ground for the disease-carrying mosquitos. Bamboo in Uganda The tropical highlands of Uganda offer another choice habitat for native and cultivated bamboo in Africa. And for the last several years, the local government and the Uganda Bamboo Association have been urging Ugandans to cultivate more bamboo, citing its ecological benefits and its potential for elevating rural economies. Locally, bamboo is perfect for building and construction material, as well as animal feed. Other practical commodities include bamboo crafts and kitchen wares. With a little more ingenuity, they are also producing bamboo vinegar, which in turn can be made into soaps and cosmetic products. And the bi-products of this vinegar production could be made into biofuel, once the infrastructure for that process is established here. Moreover, the Bamboo Village is attracting more outside investment by inviting businesses and individuals to purchase plots of bamboo on the plantation as a way of earning carbon credits and offsetting their own greenhouse emissions. As a result, the Ugandans are able to expand their cultivation, employ more people, and build more housing. At the same time, bamboo is controlling erosion and improving the ecosystem. © BNBRC Burundi National Bamboo Research Center is dedicated to the sustainable development, conservation, and utilization of bamboo resources in Burundi. Our work spans scientific research, community education, and the promotion of bamboo-based technologies that support ecological balance and economic development. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice.

Bamboo in Africa A Green Bounty Pyramids, diamond mines and safaris through the Serengeti, just a few things that come to mind when we think of Africa. And somewhere, near the bottom of a very long list, we might encounter bamboo. But Africa, a continent shrouded in mystery, is actually home to a surprising abundance of the miracle grass, bamboo. Read The Article GALLERY SEE MORE THE CHINA-AFRICA BAMBOO CENTER TO BE BUILT IN ETHIOPIA Bilateral discussion has taken place between the 'National forestry and Grass land Administration office for National Afforestation Committee' of China and officials from the Ethiopian Environment, Forest and climate change commission. BAMBOO PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN REGENERATING EAST AFRICAN TRANSBOUNDARY WETLANDS A 2020 Wetlands International report noted that the Sio-Siteko wetlands faced many challenges to its survival, including a fast-growing population, high levels of poverty, and weak governance systems and structures. A Guide to Bamboo Types Read The Article © BNBRC Burundi National Bamboo Research Center is dedicated to the sustainable development, conservation, and utilization of bamboo resources in Burundi. Our work spans scientific research, community education, and the promotion of bamboo-based technologies that support ecological balance and economic development. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice.

Reading List Title Series Authors Year Exploitation et importance socio-économique du bambou de chine, Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C. Wendl. (Poaceae) dans la région de l’Agnéby-Tiassa: cas de la Sous-Préfecture d’Azaguié (Sud-Est de la Côte d’Ivoire) International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences Dje, Bi Dobo Pierre Valence; Koffi, Jean Kouao; Vroh, Bi Tra Aimé; Kpangui, Kouassi Bruno; Yao, Constant Yves Adou 2018 April 12 Green Gold of Africa - Can growing native bamboo in Ethiopia become a commercially viable business The Forestry Chronicle Böck, Felix 2014 October Hear the Parable of the Bamboo: Africa Approaching a Jubilee The Ecumenical Review Paride Taban 1997 October Ecosystem services and biomass stock from bamboo stands in central and southern Benin, West Africa Energy, Ecology and Environment Houdanon, Roel Dire; Mensah, Sylvanus; Gnanglè, Césaire; Yorou, Nourou Soulemane; Houinato, Marcel 2018 March 10 Potentials of Bamboo-Based Agroforestry for Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review Agricultural Research Partey, Samuel T.; Sarfo, Daniel A.; Frith, Oliver; Kwaku, Michael; Thevathasan, Naresh V. 2017 January 19 Population structure of two bamboo in relation to topographical units in the Republic of Benin (West Africa): Implications for sustainable management Acta Botanica Gallica Tovissodé, F.C.; Honfo, H.S.; Salako, V.K.; Gnanglè, C.P.; Mensah, S.; Glèlè Kakaï, R. 2015 January 02 Bamboo Shoots: Asian Migration, Trade and Business Networks in South Africa Journal for Studies in Economics and Econometrics Kerby, E. 2018 August 1 Study on Behaviour of Coconut Shell Aggregate Concrete with Bamboo Reinforcement in Compression Member International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa Amutha, S.; Arul Prakash, D.; Lakshmipathy, M.; Kumaran, G.Senthil 2015 July © BNBRC Burundi National Bamboo Research Center is dedicated to the sustainable development, conservation, and utilization of bamboo resources in Burundi. Our work spans scientific research, community education, and the promotion of bamboo-based technologies that support ecological balance and economic development. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice.

Mission The Burundi National Bamboo Research Centre is committed to pioneering sustainable bamboo-based solutions that combat environmental degradation while enhancing rural prosperity across Burundi. Established in 2017 under ISABU, our mission integrates scientific research with community engagement to transform the challenges of soil erosion and deforestation into opportunities for ecological restoration and climate resilience. Through our work in bamboo propagation, cultivation techniques, and product development, we aim to position Burundi as a leader in East Africa's emerging green economy. We serve as a bridge between traditional knowledge and modern science, empowering rural cooperatives with the skills needed for sustainable bamboo enterprises while contributing to national reforestation strategies. Our vision is a Burundi where bamboo cultivation creates both environmental sustainability and economic opportunity for generations to come. © BNBRC Burundi National Bamboo Research Center is dedicated to the sustainable development, conservation, and utilization of bamboo resources in Burundi. Our work spans scientific research, community education, and the promotion of bamboo-based technologies that support ecological balance and economic development. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice.

Benedict Omondi holding his golden bamboo Omondi, a pioneer bamboo farmer, is convinced that the initiative will aid in reducing degradation of the Sio-Siteko transboundary wetland that borders his land. He has planted more that 100 bamboo trees on his six acre farm. He says that with the help of Eco-Green Kenya, he and other farmers also have a market for their bamboo, which is used in making beds, trays, tables, lampshades, baskets and in the construction of houses The income Omondi, a retired schoolteacher, receives from his bamboo has offered him a lifeline. "Each tree, when harvested, fetches Kenya Shillings 500 (S5). The bamboo shoots are also edible and have medicinal value, and the leaves are used to feed livestock," he says. Namandi says that, initially, local community members were sceptical about their prospects as bamboo farmers, with low adoption numbers, although farmers like Omondi who embraced the project have seen the benefits. Bamboo Plays an Important Role in Regenerating East African Transboundary Wetlands Article by Justus Wanzala Published on January 11, 2022 Farmer Benedict Omondi on his wetland bamboo plantation in western Kenya A 2020 Wetlands International report noted that the Sio-Siteko wetlands faced many challenges to its survival, including a fast-growing population, high levels of poverty, and weak governance systems and structures. But as a 2015 report by social networking conservation platform Tunza Eco Generation noted, bamboo is an effective tool both for reversing wetlands degradation and alleviating poverty. "No other woody plant matches bamboo's versatility in environmental conservation and commerce to societies living near wetlands ecosystems and their associated riparian catchments areas throughout the world," the report said. Jackline Namadi, the coordinator of Eco-Green Kenya, a Busia based community organisation that promotes bamboo cultivation, agrees. She says they are working with other stakeholders to promote bamboo. "We work with the county government, the ministry of Environment and Forestry in Kenya, and conservation organisations and communities in Kenya and Uganda to conserve the wetlands and ensure livelihoods," says Namandi. Robert Sunya, the Dutch Sino East Africa Bamboo Development Program technical officer for the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation INBAR) says, *The future is bright; a county like Busia already has 4,000 bamboo farmers, It is high time students in tertiary institutions pursued bamboo related studies to start their own enterprises and harness available opportunities.* Likewise, Dennis Chirande, director of Environmental and Natural Resources for Busia County, says the county government appreciates the role bamboo plays in conserving and regenerating local wetlands, and has submitted a strategy paper to promote its adoption. Chirande says his department has a nursery with 10,000 bamboo seedlings to distribute to farmers living along the Sio-Siteko transboundary wetland. According to Chirande, bamboo cultivation will also increase tree cover in the county, which currently stands at Jess than 5% of the land. There have been challenges, In Busia, Namandi says, the bamboo seeds for the second phase of planting failed to germinate properly. Seedlings have also been regularly affected by seasonal flooding and livestock encroachment. "We plant the seedlings during the dry season to avoid the effect of floods, meaning they must be watered, which is costly," she adds. "Erratic rainfall has also compelled communities around the wetland to invade it for food cultivation, because during droughts, it is the only land that has moisture to grow food and it's fertile" There's also been a problem with differing land tenure systems in Kenya and Uganda. Whereas Kenyan farmers have individual ownership of parts of the wetland and can easily make decisions on their use, in Uganda wetlands are communally owned, and are used for grazing land, which means collective decisions are required to change their use. "In Uganda it is difficult to change [wetland] use and some fear it will deny their livestock pasture lands," says Namandi. The impact of this variation in the laws of the two countries has led Eco-Green Kenya and its partners to sign conservation agreements with communities to ensure the focus is on collaboration and partnership to avoid programmes getting bogged down by legalities. Further afield, Nellie Mugure Oduor, INBAR's national coordinator, says its Dutch-Sino East Africa Bamboo Development Programme (which is in its second phase, 2020-2023) is underway in Ethiopia as well as Kenya and Uganda, funded by the Netherlands and China. Programme objectives include creating sustainable and lucrative bamboo value chains for industry and small-to-medium enterprises by upscaling existing value chains and diversifying into new ones. Accarding to Oduor, the programme is expected to directly benefit some 28,500 people, as well as restore 5,000 hectares of degraded land with bamboo, and enhance sustainable management practices for 5,000 hectares of bamboo plantations and farms in the three countries. "The target groups are smallholder farmers, women, youth, small-to-medium enterprises and larger industries," she notes. In Cameroon, another INBAR programme is evaluating the potential of bamboo and other native, non-timber forest products to restore degraded land in the country and create new income streams. In 2016-19 INBAR also successfully implemented a World Bank-funded programme in Ethiopia. Overall, Oduor says, 12 exotic bamboo Species were introduced, two million seedlings produced and some 400 hectares of bamboo planted. Another key INBAR project, she says, is located on the transboundary Mara River shared by Kenya and Tanzania. 'This project includes restoring river banks along the Mara River by creating bamboo plantations on riparian zones, soil and water restoration, carbon sequestration estimated at 1,500 tons and improving the livelihoods of the communities," she says. According to the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)'s programme on forests, trees and agroforestry (FTA). Uganda also has a National Bamboo Strategy and Action Plan for 2019-2029, whose focus is on managing the country's bamboo resources to provide economic, social and environment benefits for all. In addition, in Kenya, there are collaborative efforts between stakeholders and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to develop a bamboo policy and the creation of an enabling environment for bamboo value addition through, for instance, taxation and exploring the ssue of product standards. In addition, asthe sector grows, the need for investment in capacity development and research in new technologies is emerging. But while bamboo is a game changer in tackling climate change challenges, wetland degradation and the protection of livelihoods. Namandi emphasises that communities must take a leading role. "We work with many stakeholders, but to attain much, the ball is in the hands of individuals and their communities © BNBRC Burundi National Bamboo Research Center is dedicated to the sustainable development, conservation, and utilization of bamboo resources in Burundi. Our work spans scientific research, community education, and the promotion of bamboo-based technologies that support ecological balance and economic development. The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional or legal advice.