Conservation of Bamboo germplasm through establishment of Bambusetum and Bamboo nursery

Bamboo utilization in Asian countries has developed from the simple use of raw culms to comprehensive exploitation of the resource for making handicrafts, ply bamboos, pulp and paper, drinks and medicines through research and development. In contrast, bamboo resources continue to be underutilized in African countries including Ghana. Extensive use of bamboo in Africa has largely been for domestic uses like firewood, clearing for agriculture and heavy use of bamboo culms for mostly fencing, construction of houses, grazing and even feeding donkeys and cattle through the cut and carries practices. The extraction and utilization have not been based on any scientific basis. The level of processing of bamboo products is also low. Under such circumstances there is always a risk of bamboo germplasm diminishing. This project therefore aims at conserving bamboo germplasm through establishment of bamboo nursery and bambusetum. The bambusetum will serve as a centre for bamboo information, training, useful facility for scientists and source of high quality bamboo planting materials.