Question : NATIONAL BAMBOO MISSION

(a) the details of the objectives of National Bamboo Mission in the country along with the achievement made under the Mission in North Eastern States including Assam;

(b) the details of the growth of employment generation for skilled and unskilled workers in the bamboo sector during the last three years and the current year along with the funds allocated and disbursed by the Government in this regard;

(c) the details of the bamboo production per hectare both in non-forest land in all the States as targeted in the mission activity;

(d) whether the Government is considering to create a National Bamboo Development Board/Authority like rubber/tea and coffee and promoting the scope of bamboo based industry in Assam if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the details of the funds released under this mission to North Eastern States including Assam during the last three years and the current year?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ( SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA )

(a):Main objectives of the Mission are to promote holistic growth of bamboo sector through the area based regionally differentiated strategies, which include research, extension, post harvest management & skill upgradation; improving productivity by way of promoting quality germplasm & planting material and creating employment opportunities for rural youth. Details of achievements made in respect of major components in North Eastern States including Assam since 2006-07 are given in Annexure I.

(b): The employment generation being only a concomitant outcome of the various activities promoted under the Mission, no separate estimates of employment growth of skilled and unskilled workers on account of National Bamboo Mission (NBM) activities are available. Separate funds are not earmarked under NBM for promoting growth of employment specifically.

(c): Production per hectare has not been assessed.

(d): There is no proposal under consideration in this Ministry to create a National Bamboo Development Board/Authority like rubber/tea and coffee in Assam.

(e): Details of the funds released are at Annexure II.