Male bamboo should be planted in tropical regions for greenery: GWA

Male bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) should be planted in the tropical zone for lush evergreen foliage, said Ko Saw Thiha Maung from the Green World Alliance.
“Male bamboo can be utilized in many ways. They are easy to grow and suitable for creating green areas in the tropical zone. They can be grown on any type of soil,” he said.
The poles of male bamboo are seen hallow in a humid climate and solid in hot weather.
The male bamboo is used for construction such as fences, bamboo thatch and bamboo poles for decorative products. It can be used for various purposes.
“It is commercially valued from the small size. Bamboo growing should have 12 feet distance in each row. About 330-440 plants can be cultivated per acre. It can be harvested starting from three years,” Ko Saw Thiha Maung elaborated.
It can be cut in five years if it is systematically grown with fertilizer, plant trimming, land treatment, and an irrigation network.
“Male bamboo is useful materials for thatch products. The value-added products can generate large income,” said a trader.
Male bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus) is home to India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand. It is a South-East Asian tropical and subtropical species. It can be grown up in the areas of 3,000 feet in height. Sometimes, it can be naturally grown in the forest.
Currently, the seeds of male bamboo species fetch K25,000 per 300 grammes for about 8,000-10,000 seeds. — Lu Lay/GNLM