The commercialization of timber bamboo in Nepal: A SWOT-AHP analysis

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) have the potential to support sustainable livelihood development and forest conservation. Among NTFPs, bamboo has gained popularity as a potential substitute for wood-based timber. In Nepal, bamboo is a culturally and ecologically important plant distributed across major ecological regions. Despite its potential, the current use of bamboo in Nepal is limited. To address this, we conducted a study using expert interviews, a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify the key factors necessary for the successful commercialization of bamboo in Nepal. Our findings highlight the importance of local employment, marketing infrastructure, research and development, and product quality and delivery. Overall, the Nepalese bamboo industry shows high potential for development, with strengths and opportunities outweighing weaknesses and threats. Our study identifies four areas for improvement to support the commercialization of the Nepalese bamboo industry i) integrating traditional knowledge into innovative supply chains, ii) improving policy support, iii) building capacity in bamboo harvesting and management, and iv) utilizing community forestry networks to grow bamboo. Our results have implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders looking to develop sustainable and profitable bamboo industries in Nepal and beyond.