Pusaka Taps Bamboo Potential To Diversify Sarawak’s Economy

By Zaphne Philip

KUCHING, Aug 25 (Bernama) -- Bamboo, long associated with Sarawak’s traditional way of life, has the potential to emerge as a new economic resource through value-added products such as food items, furniture and biomass materials.

Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation (Pusaka) general manager Datuk Zainal Abidin Abdullah said the agency was looking to involve communities in bamboo cultivation, particularly landowners with unused or idle land, given the plant’s economic potential.

“We are ready to provide assistance, but this requires the consent and approval of landowners before our team can conduct site assessments to determine suitability and provide the necessary guidance,” he told Bernama.

As an initial step, Pusaka will provide 400 bamboo seedlings free of charge, which is sufficient for planting on one hectare of land.

Zainal said once the bamboo reaches maturity, the harvest would be purchased and processed by downstream industry players based on the products to be produced.

“This approach not only allows landowners to utilise idle land but also creates opportunities for new income sources through the bamboo industry value chain,” he said.

Zainal said Pusaka, in collaboration with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), was exploring several bamboo-based products, including flour made from bamboo shoots for use in cakes and pastries.

“However, the product has yet to be commercialised as the supply of bamboo shoots is still insufficient. We need to ensure a consistent supply before moving forward.

“Besides food products, bamboo species with high fibre content, such as buluh betung, also have potential for producing biomass pellets for energy generation,” he said.

To assess bamboo’s potential, Zainal said a 50-hectare pilot bamboo plantation had been established at the Sabal Forest Reserve in Simunjan.

A total of 22 bamboo species, including varieties from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia, have been planted at the site.

“Several other potential areas have also been identified for large-scale bamboo cultivation, including Pusaka’s forest plantations in Bintulu and Miri, which could support more than 20,000 hectares of planting.

“Sarawak aims to develop 30,000 hectares of commercial and community-based bamboo plantations statewide by 2030,” he said.

Zainal said Pusaka was working to diversify Sarawak’s economy beyond the timber industry by developing bamboo as another key contributor.

“The target reflects efforts to position bamboo as an alternative resource to timber while developing downstream industries capable of generating higher economic value,” he said.

To promote the potential of the bamboo industry, Pusaka will organise Sarawak Bamboo Day from Sept 18 to 20, providing a platform for industry players, higher learning institutions, researchers and communities to explore opportunities in the sector.

-- BERNAMA