Bamboo handbook

Bamboo has a very long history with human kind and has been used widely for household products and extended to industrial applications. It is the fastest growing plant on earth with a very short growth cycle. Some species grow as much as 1.2 m per day. Its yield is up to 25 times higher than that of the fastest growing timber trees. It can be harvested in 3-5 years cycles as compared to 10-50 years for most softwoods and hardwoods. One bamboo clump can produce 200 poles in the five years it takes one tree to reach maturity. Given its fast growth, high soil conservation potential, multiple use and adaptability to low quality sites, bamboo has the capacity to redress most of the deforestation - related problems. This handbook is designed to be a helpful booklet for both farmers and scholars. The purpose is to improve quantity, quality and sustainability in bamboo production. It is a compilation of a long journey of concerted literature search, research and experience. While a lot of effort has been put in the creation of this handbook, it is up to users to adapt, modify and customize the document to suit their particular needs.