Socio Economic Aspects of Lowland Bamboo (Oxytenanthera abyssinica )

Abstract

Bamboo Plays a vital role in environmental amelioration, biodiversity preservation, and soil conservation and protects other plants from frost, wind and water erosion and itself from freely moving speedy winds and frost. It also contributes to flood management, wastage disposal, waste purification and ecological sanitation as well as recharging groundwater.  Bamboo sequesters up to 12 tons of carbon dioxide from the air per hectare and it release 35% more oxygen than equivalent stands of trees. Despite the large area coverage, economic, social and conservation significance of bamboo in Ethiopia, information about production, utilization and its use as forage for livestock is limited. Therefore, the present  review was conducted with the objectives of generating holistic information socio-economic aspects of the indigenous low land bamboo species. The primary use of raw bamboo material is for housing, fencing, household equipment’s and amenities. The majority of rural families are entirely dependent on raw bamboo for household furniture and as a source of domestic energy and Bamboo is the main material for the construction of house, animal sheds fences, fuel wood and beehives in Asossa Zone, Benshangul-Gumuz Region. In addition, for Jeblawi people of Mandura district in this Region, the shoots of bamboo are very important for their delicious nutritional food sources.

Keywords: socio economic, oxytenanthera abyssinica

DOI: 10.7176/JPID/54-04

Publication date:May 31^st 2020