The Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) has initiated the process to recognize bamboo as a new agricultural crop in Panama. This was done by establishing an institutional technical commission, which held its first working meeting on Thursday in the province of Coclé.
According to the institution, this step starts the process that will allow for the development of technical recommendations and the definition of a roadmap for its integration into Panama's agricultural sector.
The event brought together technical teams from MIDA, bamboo producer associations, specialized consultants, and the National Bamboo Commission (CONABA). The purpose of the meeting was to analyze the processes, requirements, and scientific information necessary to support its incorporation as a national productive commodity.
Key aspects such as agronomic management, production, pest control and prevention, social and economic impact in rural areas, cultivated area in the country, as well as the technical experience accumulated over recent years, were addressed during this encounter.
Carolina Guerra, president of CONABA, presented the main results, advances, and objectives related to the development of the crop, highlighting the need to promote the bamboo value chain to strengthen the markets for small producers.
Furthermore, representatives of the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) presented the findings of the most recent actuarial study on bamboo in Panama, which details the crop's profitability, the behavior of different species, and market opportunities, considering its multiple nutritional, artisanal, agro-industrial, and livestock uses, as is already the case in other countries in the region.
The technical units also reviewed the results of the field schools developed by MIDA and INBAR in communities such as Guabal, Oajaca, and Boca de Tucue, where small farmers have made significant advances in bamboo production.
