Caveat! “Hindi Ka Yayaman Kung Ikaw Lang May Kawayan”

In many of my posts about the Giant Bamboo Program, I have come across queries on where to buy planting materials.
Gusto daw nilang magtanim sa lupa nila kasi malaki nga ang kita sa Engineered Bamboo.
Nakakatakam talaga kasi according to Bob Tinsay, President of Bukidnon Giant Bamboo Resources, one hectare of Giant Bamboo could earn P1-M every year.
This means that a town with a Giant Bamboo Industry could generate a P2-B economic activity yearly.
Well, I don’t want to crush your dreams but the reality is kung ikaw lang mag-isa ang magtatanim ng kawayan, you will end up frustrated.
Giant Bamboo farming will only be profitable if it is established as an industry.
This means kailangan at least 500 hectares ang planted area para maka establish ng Engineered Bamboo Processing Facility.
Without that facility costing about P250-M, wala kayong market.
There are two ways of doing it:
1. Talk to your local leaders, Governors and Mayors, and ask them to lead the program.
Several towns have already done it like Palo, Leyte and Cauayan, Negros Occidental and soon, Morong, Rizal.
Mas maganda kung LGU-initiated kasi madali silang maka-access ng pondo for the facility;
2. Kung walang paki-alam ang Mayor o Governor ninyo, organize your fellow farmers at mga kamag-anak and my group will help by conducting the Orientation and Workshop.
We could link you up with the Development Bank of the Philippines because they have a funding window for Engineered Bamboo Industry.
You will not only make use of your marginal lands but also provide jobs to your relatives while making money.
#GovernanceIsCommonSense!
#KungGustoMaramingParaan!