Determinates and governance of bamboo production and marketing in Ethiopia: A critical review

Abstract

Oldeania alpina (highland) and Oxytenanthera abyssinica (lowland) bamboo are two indigenous bamboo species and are vigorous in highland and lowland agro-ecologies, respectively. They have enormous socioeconomic, ecological, and traditional roles in the community. We address bamboo plantations and their distribution, identify factors influencing bamboo planting and marketing, and assess the role of bamboo for smallholder farmers and customers in Ethiopia. We also examine planting and management practices, governance, and challenges and opportunities for bamboo production and marketing. The decisions to plant bamboo are influenced by many demographic and socioeconomic factors, such as age, educational status, family size, income, farm size, land scarcity, bamboo culm price, and market information. They are also influenced by institutional factors, including market distance, marketing linkages, access to markets, tenure security, and psychological factors such as the perception of risk and attitude towards bamboo production. Bamboo plays a variety of socio-economic, ecological, and traditional roles in the community. It is one of the essential components of agricultural tasks and practices for most households and provides considerable cash income. For instance, it provides material for house and fence construction, furniture, wood fuel, and musical instruments. It is used as a source of food, medicine, and fodder and also for soil and water conservation, biodiversity functioning, and mitigating global climate change, as well as an alternative source of timber and non-timber products for rural and urban people, forest industries, construction, and energy sectors. Despite this, its significance has been affected by deforestation and degradation, overexploitation, increased agricultural investment, and social issues. Although there is a positive policy environment, there is still a lack of coordination, overlap of roles and responsibilities, and limited dedicated manpower and resources in the bamboo sector, as well as limited government support for the value chain development of the sector. Creating an enabling market environment and constructing a value chain are critical for the development of the sector. Furthermore, the selection of higher-quality bamboo landraces, extension support, and the local application of the established regulations are all critical.