Boko (Assam): A three-day farmers’ training programme on enhancing bamboo farming and production was organised at Boko from January 5 to 7 by CIFOR–ICRAF in collaboration with the Assam State Bamboo Mission (ASBM), officials said.
Held at the conference hall of the Rabha Hasong Museum, the programme aimed to strengthen farmers’ technical capacity in bamboo-based agroforestry systems, improve access to markets and financial services, and promote enterprise development under the Bamboo Outside Forest (BOF) initiative.
The training focused on equipping participants with scientific knowledge, sustainable cultivation practices and livelihood opportunities linked to bamboo production.
The sessions covered a wide range of themes, including bamboo farming models, nursery management and quality planting material, harvesting and post-harvest practices, value addition, market and financial linkages, policy and regulatory frameworks, and emerging opportunities such as carbon markets and bamboo-based entrepreneurship.
The programme combined expert presentations with interactive discussions and hands-on learning.
Participants included local bamboo farmers, members of farmer producer organisations, women farmer groups and farmer collectives from the Boko–Chaygaon co-district.
Addressing the valedictory session, Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council chairman Sonaram Rabha said the Boko–Chaygaon region has a long tradition of bamboo cultivation and significant potential for expansion.
He said such training programmes help farmers by providing practical technical inputs and exposure to market opportunities, and encouraged participants to tap the growing demand for bamboo to increase farm incomes.
RHAC executive member Sumit Rabha thanked CIFOR–ICRAF and the Assam State Bamboo Mission for organising the programme in the area, saying it enabled farmers to gain hands-on understanding of scientific bamboo farming and livelihood opportunities through local value addition, including linkages with the Bamboo Technology Park at Satabari in Chaygaon.
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The valedictory session was also attended by B. Deuri, Assistant Commissioner of the Boko–Chaygaon co-district, and Dr Arup Jyoti Kalita of CIFOR–ICRAF, who spoke on policy convergence and the role of bamboo-based agroforestry in sustainable rural development.
Technical sessions during the programme were conducted by experts from institutions such as Assam Agricultural University, Central Silk Board, NABARD, the Assam Forest Department, Assam Bio Ethanol Private Limited, the Bamboo Technology Park at Satabari, and CIFOR–ICRAF, along with bamboo entrepreneurs and sector specialists.
Training kits and extension materials, including posters, booklets and brochures, were distributed to participants to support continued learning and field-level adoption.
Officials said the training is part of CIFOR–ICRAF’s ongoing collaboration with the Assam State Bamboo Mission to strengthen bamboo-based livelihoods, promote sustainable practices and support the growth of a vibrant bamboo sector in the state.
