Value Chain Analysis for Bamboo Originating from Shedem Kebele, Bale Zone
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Date
2008-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Bamboo is a highly utilised natural resource in many parts of the world. In Ethiopia, despite the availability of vast bamboo forests, the use is mainly limited to construction, fences, some rudimentary furniture and household utensils. Except for some general publications on value chain of bamboo in Ethiopia, there isn’t much detailed work that will enable intervention at specific sites. Therefore, to understand the existing value chain and harness the bamboo potential as a means of alternative livelihoods through a well developed marketing strategy, the value chain analysis was carried out for Shedem Kebele, in Bale Zone. The results show that communities in Shedem as well as the surrounding towns depend on bamboo resources highly. On average 47% of the annual income is estimated to be derived from bamboo sale for Shedem farmers. Further 17,000 – 23,000 bamboo culms are consumed on each market day in the Goba market. However, the bamboo culms are mainly used for construction and very little of furniture and crafts that are available do not satisfy the quality requirement of even the local community. The value chain studied was found to be very week with little or no communication among actors.
Therefore, in order to efficiently use the available resource, it is essential to have a stronger and well coordinated value chain. For this to happen trainings at all level of the chain, organisation of farmers into groups, close collaboration with the private sector, proper management of bamboo forests and plantations and advocacy and marketing are required. Further, actors such as governmental and nongovernmental organisations should focus on development of the appropriate policy, research for value addition and establishment of information resource center.
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Chain Analysis for Bamboo Originating