Residents of Githunguri Sub-county have been urged to plant bamboo trees due to its environmental benefits besides generating income.
Area forest officer, Bernard Njuguna says that bamboo plants are useful for ecological purposes such as soil stabilisation and erosion prevention on hill slopes. He added that mature plants can be sold at a profit.
“We have began training on the need of planting bamboo to improve environmental conditions of many farms. Githunguri and its surrounding areas have a conducive climatic environment that favours the growth of bamboo. People have started the plantation in Ruiru dam and Kamiti river catchments which have indeed taken up well,” Njuguna said.
Regarding the plant’s market, Njuguna said a Sacco which will help them market their bamboo produce regardless of whether they do it individually or as a group will be formed.
“We have formed an association known as Water Resource Users Association which helps to instil knowledge in farmers. My office has also in the recent past sponsored some bamboo farmers for an educational tour to Meru County where they have learnt more on methods of growing and harvesting bamboo besides exchange of ideas,” Njuguna revealed.
He added that in Lari location, artists have come up with a new method of making furniture using bamboo and due to its smooth texture, they make beautiful furniture such as coffee tables, chairs and even wardrobes of different designs. He said this has seen Lari youths become self-employed.
He informed farmers that bamboo provides organic matter, regulates water levels in watersheds and also contributes to purification of water.