Bamboo is a versatile gift of nature. It has direct link to the socio-economic and cultural
conditions of the Nepalese people. The aim of the study was to assess the status of
bamboo production in private land, its contribution to socio-economic condition and
marketing trend of bamboo culms and bamboo products. This study was conducted
in 10 Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Rautahat District during July to
October, 2010. Data were collected through household (HH) survey using semistructured
questionnaires, key-informant survey through interviews, focus group
discussion, market survey, and bamboo stock measurement. Two wards in each VDC
were selected purposively based on availability of bamboo. The HHs in the selected
wards were categorized into three well-being classes (rich, middle and poor) through
participatory approach. The average number of bamboo clumps per HH was found
to be 3.4 in the three categories of HHs within the study area; 5.7 (highest) in the
rich-class HHs followed by 3.9 in the middle-class HHs and 0.5 (lowest) in the poorclass
HHs; there were, on an average, 80 culms per bamboo clump in the study area.
On the contrary, the income from the bamboo sector was found to be just opposite-
73.85% in the poor-class HHs followed by 2.37% in the middle-class HHs and 0.85%
in the rich-class HHs. The prices of bamboo culms, basket and Nanglo winnow were
found to have increased by 51.6%, 41.0% and 36.4% respectively during the last 4
years- from 2006/07 to 2010. No fixed market, no fixed price and no guarantee in
sealing the products were found to be the major problems for market development of
the bamboo products in the district. Awareness-raising through trainings and studytours
on plantation techniques to the bamboo-growers as well as the craft-makers and
production of high-prized products are essential for increasing bamboo plantations
and for the development of bamboo market in the district so as to make bamboo-culm
supplier in the near future. The findings of this study will help the concerned agencies
to inform about the status and future prospects of bamboo sector in the district.