Odisha is taking a significant step towards empowering women farmers through bamboo cultivation. A two-day state-level workshop on bamboo farming and livelihood opportunities was inaugurated at the Mission Shakti Bhawan Auditorium in Bhubaneswar.
The event was graced by Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister, Pravati Parida, who emphasised that bamboo-based industries could provide substantial economic benefits, particularly for women entrepreneurs.
This initiative aims to support the ambitious Lakhpati Didi program, which seeks to financially uplift one lakh women farmers by integrating them into the bamboo cultivation and production ecosystem. The workshop is designed to train women in various aspects of bamboo farming—from planting techniques and value-added processing to marketing and export possibilities.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy CM Parida stressed that Odisha’s natural climate and resources make it an ideal location for bamboo farming. With increasing demand for bamboo-based products, women-led enterprises can leverage this opportunity to create sustainable businesses while contributing to environmental conservation.
Experts from the Odisha Livelihood Mission, Industree Foundation, and other industrial stakeholders provided insights into innovative bamboo farming techniques, FSC certification, carbon credit monetisation, and collaboration with national programs like MGNREGS and the National Bamboo Mission.
The workshop also hosted interactive sessions on bamboo plantation strategies, intercropping methods, design innovation, pricing models, and export potential. Leaders from various self-help groups (SHGS), district program managers, and cluster-level trainers actively participated, making the event a significant milestone in Odisha’s rural economic transformation.
With continuous efforts from Odisha Livelihood Mission and dedicated policymakers, the state is poised to become a leader in bamboo-based economic development, ensuring that thousands of women entrepreneurs thrive in a rapidly growing market.
