Bamboo: a potential resource for contribution to industrial development of Tanzania

Abstract

Bamboo is an important non-timber forest product and a major wood substitute. Itcan be processed and fabricated into different products as a substitute for wood products at an industrial scale. However, the available information on bamboo resources availability, its properties and potential for contribution towards Sustainable Development Goals is limited. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the potentials of bamboo resources for sustainable industrial development in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed at exploringavailable bamboo resources, unique propertiesand its potential for contribution to Sustainable Development Goals in Tanzania. We conducted a comprehensive literature review in Tanzania mainland, supported by field visits to validate the National Forest inventory bamboo data. We used meta-analysis to generate descriptive statistics of the variables of interest. Results show that bamboo covers about 1,025,033 ha in Tanzania mainland, dominated by Yushania alpina, Bambusa vulgaris, Bambusa bambos and Oxytenanthera abyssinica. Bamboo has unique physical, chemical, and mechanical properties compared to wood, steel, cements and plastics, ithas many unique properties related to strength, elasticity and lightness, which could be used to contribute towards Tanzania industrial development ambitions.Use of bamboo resources can contribute to achievement ofsix of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.