An international conference on Ethiopia’s bamboo is set to start on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 here in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa. It was the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Chinese based International Network for Bamboo and Rattan that organized the event.

Discussions are expected to revolve around the policy contents of International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, the role of the private sector in green bamboo development, and the role bamboo plays in basin development.

According to Melaku Tadesse, Sustainable Land Holding Program Advisor with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Ethiopia is currently the chairman of the conference but will hand over the position and remain as a board member.

Participants of the Conference are scheduled to pay visit to the Africa Bamboo Training and Workshop located at Gefersa, Oromia State, for Thursday, November 6, 2014.

Melaku explained there is going to be a center that will be established at the sight. The center is said to accept participants from across Africa and give short and long term trainings, exchange experience and establish market network.

In addition to this, he furthered, they will be able to come up with new products by investing their creativity. Favorable situation is going to be created for production and for market access, both local and foreign markets.

Tesfaye Hunde, Country Representative for International Network for Bamboo and Rattan, on his part explained the Ethiopian government is introducing as well as expanding new technology. In addition to this the government is also sharing experience of other nation’s that have benefited from the effective utilization of bamboo resource in ones country.

The country representative furthered Bamboo plays huge role in consolidating sustainable land utilization and activities that help ensure food security.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency