DID you know that bamboo plants create improved oxygenated air and balanced humidity? Bamboo plants absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, hence reduces greenhouse gases. Bamboo can create five times more carbon than the same amount of trees and 35 per cent more oxygen. It naturally absorbs 2/3 more carbon dioxide and releases 2/3 more oxygen than any other plant. So, bamboo really is eco-friendly!
Bamboo enthusiast and entrepreneur Sukulu Soko is a man with a mission when it comes to this versatile plant.
In an interview at the Forestry Department’s Timber Industry Training Centre (TITC) in Nasinu, the rather witty and vocal Soko spoke fervently about bamboos.
“Bamboo is regarded as a grass but used as timber so is therefore called a ‘woody grass’.
“It matures in three to five years depending on the species. There are approximately 1500 species of bamboo in the world and Fiji has about 20 different species. The three types of bamboo in the world are monopodial, amphipodial and sympodial — the latter being found in Fiji,” said Soko.
He said: “Bamboos should not be viewed as a nuisance but an asset and its importance from its holistic uses. One needs to understand its holistic uses in order to change the mind-set one has towards bamboo.
“It is said that the uses of bamboo are only limited in the mind.”
The trainer at Sunnyville Bamboo Development — a family owned business he established in 2004 and is based at Wainibuku in Nasinu, Soko explained bamboos represent beauty, peace and tranquility.
“The interest to possess a bamboo plant of my own led me to propagate a branch cutting. Interest to develop bamboo products lured me to understand the different types of bamboo that exist in Fiji, both the naturalised species and the introduced ones.
“To produce a durable product, and a stable market, I would have to understand how to preserve bamboo. This opened a new window to understand the different methods of preservation.”
The initial trial was the immersion of bamboo followed by other trials including baking and heating over fire, using hot and cold bath then later using chemicals. These bamboo samples were analysed at the Koronivia Research Station and results were very encouraging.
Coming from a traditional wood-carving background on Ogea, Lau, with traditional ties to Kabara and Fulaga, Soko has realised the potential in developing products from bamboo.
“Bamboo is known as green gold because it is a good source of income for rural communities. There are resource owners who are more into timber and logging.
“As a bamboo specialist I always advise them that there is a need to look at alternatives like bamboo, otherwise all native species of timber will become extinct.
“I do awareness programs for interested companies and resource owners on the different uses of bamboo and Sunnyville works in collaboration with the Department of Forestry in Nasinu and Secretariat of the Pacific Community to transfer knowledge of bamboo usages.
“It’s a valuable asset that offers opportunities for improved livelihood. Bamboos have multiple advantages, it can be used for horticulture, control soil erosion and even design creative art and crafts,” Soko said.
“I have developed a wide range of items made from bamboo such as desks, cups, eating utensils, trays, hangers, mini shelves and pen holders among others. Being a versatile plant, it is capable of alleviating poverty and green-house effect.”
Forthright and committed to bamboo awareness, Soko emphasised it was rather unfortunate we in Fiji did not recognise the importance of bamboos when Asian countries had fully utilised the plant.
The outspoken Ogea man said those with the skill and knowledge in bamboo development could venture into a productive venture turning this inferior species into a high demand plant. Soko has to be admired for taking this bold, proactive initiative and advocating about the importance of this versatile plant.
The success in bamboo development needs to be a shared responsibility. An aggressive awareness approach can lift the livelihood of households and the nation. There is much to learn from Asian countries in the development of bamboos.
Soko received his bamboo training from INBAR (International Network for Bamboo and Rattan Association). INBAR is an intergovernmental organisation based in China that has helped thousands of rural producers to make a living from bamboo.
* Kelera Dakunimata is with the National Centre for Small and Micro Enterprises Development. For business development support services contact NCSMED on 3312 991, 3312 992 and 3307 122. They are located at Unity House, 82 Robertson, Rd in Suva.
