New Delhi, Dec 14 (KNN) Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Nitin Gadkari has emphasized the need of more intensive use of bamboo resources of the country and the Northeast.

"Bamboo has a variety of uses in various fields like buildings and interiors, handicrafts, agarbatti making, garments, bio-fuel resource, etc," Gadkari said during a webinar on Thursday.

The MSME Minister also asked the Ministry of DONER to formulate a comprehensive Bamboo Policy as most of the Bamboo is produced in North East. 

"For industrial use bamboo yield should be 200 tonnes per acre against about 40 tonnes per acre in case of some varieties. The greater yield and wider bamboo usage will open up more employment generation especially in North East India," he added.

He also suggested making available more incentives to Bamboo production, processing and handling and said this will go a long way in developing the bamboo based industry.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh said that India is destined to play a major role in Post-COVID economic resurgence and the North Eastern Region will play a crucial role in it with full exploitation of huge Bamboo resources. 

''It is imperative to make Bamboo a pan-India perspective for its growth and utilization. Bamboo will be the new fuel of New Engine that is North East for India's growth story,'' he said. 

Jitendra Singh also said that ministry of DoNER and North Eastern Council is taking all measures for tapping Bamboo resources and technical know-how at all India levels. 

"The Ministry had already decided to develop three Bamboo Clusters in Jammu, Katra and Samba areas for making of Bamboo basketry, Agarbatti and Bamboo Charcoal as well as setting up of Bamboo Technology Centre," he added.