Bamboo shoot project in Tripura

Tripura, one of the largest bamboo-growing states in the country with 16 varieties, has undertaken a project to package bamboo shoots for sale to star category hotels.
There is good demand for bamboo shoots for making delicious dishes in star hotels in the country and abroad and with proper packaging good money could be earned, Tripura Bamboo Mission (TBM) sources said today.
TBM has taken the initiative to collect bamboo shoots from the fields, package and store them, which could open market opportunities, industries and commerce minister Jitendra Chowdhury said.
He said bamboo farmers operating from a room would provide basic cleaning, cutting, and bulk packaging facility with only an investment of Rs 35,000 towards equipment.

The packed bamboo would be sent to food processing units in other parts of the country through consolidator intervention assuming a margin of Rs 5-6 a kg, Chowdhury said.
A bamboo shoot processing unit exists at the state capital and the products are being sold under a brand name with distribution done by the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Ltd.