A team from Bamboo Pathways recently visited Mr. Birungis bamboo farm in Wakiso District to explore ways to work together and add value to his impressive bamboo plantation. Mr. Birungi has over 50 hectares of mature bamboo, mainly Dendrocalamus asper, with considerable stands of Dendrocalamus giganteus and other bamboo species.

After trying out pine and eucalyptus farming, Mr. Birungi decided to focus fully on bamboo. His farm is now over 7 years old and is one of the largest privately-owned bamboo plantations in the area.

During the visit, the team agreed to begin a project focusing on bamboo charcoal and vinegar production, building on previous support from Bamboo Uganda, who had provided Mr. Birungi with a bamboo vinegar kiln. This project aims to turn unused bamboo parts and off-cuts into valuable products.

Benefits of Bamboo Charcoal and Vinegar

Bamboo Charcoal is a clean-burning fuel that produces less smoke than wood. It's perfect for cooking, heating, and even purifying air and water. Bamboo Vinegar is a natural byproduct collected during charcoal-making. It has many benefits for farmers, including: Improving soil fertility, acting as a natural pesticide for crops, helping with animal health (in small quantities), and is used in skin care and cleaning products. These products can be sold for income or used on the farm to reduce costs and improve productivity.

Mr. Birungis passion for bamboo runs deep, ;he has even involved his family in the work and has big dreams for the future. He plans to build a bamboo eco-tourism center, a bamboo-themed family park, and a training institute to teach others about bamboo farming and innovation.

He believes the bamboo industry in Uganda has great potential if farmers, companies, and government agencies work together to build a strong value chain.

This visit marks the beginning of a promising partnership that could become a model for bamboo farmers across the country.

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