India’s bamboo market, which was valued at $314.67 million in 2024, is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82 per cent between 2026 and 2030. In terms of value, the pulp and paper sector is anticipated to hold a 43.6 per cent market share among end-use industries by 2034. In terms of value, food (bamboo shoots) is anticipated to hold a very small market share in 2034

“ Bamboo, often called green gold and poor man’s timber, holds great potential for India – not just as a natural resource but also as a powerful tool for economic growth, environmental sustainability & rural employment. India has a significant area under bamboo cultivation with 13.96 million hectares’’, mentioned Prashant Date, Founder, Date Bambusetum. ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), which the government is pushing, should help boost the domestic bamboo industry even more.

“Despite possessing the world’s second-largest bamboo reserves after China, we continue to be one of the largest importers of bamboo products, particularly incense sticks (agarbatti) raw materials. This contradiction is not due to a lack of resources, but rather a fragmented policy approach and absence of a cohesive value chain management strategy. A paradigm shift in how we govern bamboo is urgently needed—starting with treating bamboo as a commodity, not just as a grass’’, added Kamesh Salam, Founder & CEO, Canboo. The bamboo market is well-positioned to overcome current obstacles and maintain its growth trajectory using growing technology interventions and the upskilling of craftsmen. “In an era increasingly focused on circular economies and eco-friendly alternatives, Bamboo’s industrial applications resonate with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including climate action (SDG 13), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), decent work (SDG 8), and sustainable consumption (SDG 12)’’, added Dr Abhinav Kant, In-charge, Bamboo and Cane Development Institute, NECTAR.

The main trend gaining traction in the bamboo market is the rise in government programmes for bamboo cultivation to address several issues, such as livelihood, land degradation, and climate change mitigation, while concentrating on the use of bamboo as a strategic resource. In the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, bamboo has become more than just a crop—it is a symbol of resilience, innovation, and inclusive rural development. Over the past two decades, the Konkan Bamboo and Cane Development Centre (KONBAC) has demonstrated how this humble grass can transform livelihoods, restore degraded landscapes, conserve biodiversity, and fuel a sustainable economy. ‘’Our journey began in 2004, supported by the visionary leadership of Suresh Prabhu and institutions like INBAR. Starting with just 120 farmers, our network has grown to over 10,000 cultivators across 5,500 hectares. Indigenous species such as Dendrocalamus stocksii (locally known as Managa) have proven ideally suited to the Konkan region—offering both climate resilience and a reliable source of income’’, said Sanjeev Karpe, Director, KONBAC. Travelling down the memory lane on success stories in pushing the Indian bamboo ecosystem beyond borders, Karpe narrated his journey of transforming the image of bamboo from the “poor man’s timber” to a symbol of contemporary sustainability. “A standout success is our work in the Maldives, where our company, JANS Bamboo Products Pvt. Ltd., constructed a bamboo-based restaurant for the Waldorf Astoria resort. Designed to withstand tropical storms, the project earned international acclaim, featuring among CNN UK’s top 16 waterfront restaurants globally. Our bamboo ceiling panels also featured at the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar—showcasing Indian bamboo craftsmanship on a global platform.’’

To read more click: https://agrospectrumindia.com/e-magazine