ASIDE from bananas, cacao, and coffee, which are some of the primarily cultivated crops in Davao Region, the agriculture sector now looks into the possible cultivation and development of the bamboo industry.

In Davao City alone, a number of small-scale business establishments with materials anchored on bamboo or kawayan are around. Bamboos can either be used as construction materials or even dish ingredients. This year’s Davao Agri Trade Expo (DATE), which is slated on September 20 to 22 at the SMX Convention Center, Program Committee Chair John Tria said they are now going to highlight the investment and other potentials of the bamboo industry.

“That’s why we want to see how we can harness the growth of bamboo and the industry because of its potential to generate the kind of inclusive growth that agriculture brings,” said Tria adding that the bamboos are the type of plants that are very easy to grow and maintain and yet actually has a good market.

The Bamboo industry has since been given initial attention by Senators Loren Legarda and Benigno “Bam” Aquino by proposing Senate Bills that will give continuous relevant technologies and new products to the industry. Further, the SB 1478 that Legarda supported seeks to create a bamboo industry in the Philippines that is competitive enough to be able to provide opportunities for local employment as well as establishing bamboo-based enterprises through adequate supply of raw materials. Bamboo nurseries and plantations had been proposed together with this Senate Bill.

On the other hand, Aquino’s SB 665 seeks to remedy issues affecting the industry so the Council can be developed to “generate employment, help the bamboo export sector capture a greater market, promote environmental sustainability and help mitigate the impacts of climate change.”

“Bamboo is not just a building material, it is also a food source and it is fast growing. So the potential to generate income for many families is very good,” Tria said.

According to explanatory letter of SB 665, there had been a demand on bamboo poles of about 22 million culms in 2016 however the estimated supply on preferred bamboo species was on the same year was at 10 million culms per year only.

Tria hopes that with the industry highlighted and given more attention this coming DATE 2018, new insights and developments regarding the industry will be realized. This way, Davao Region will have a more systematic bamboo industry as well.