Improve Economy: Ogun Forestry Ministry To Tap On Economic Value Of Bamboo Plantation 

          The Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Forestry, Mr. Timothy Olatunji has said that Government will tap into the economic value of bamboo production, to improve the economy of the state.

          Mr. Olatunji who made this known at the commencement of the bamboo plantation at Ilaro forest reserve Ipake, yewa south local government, said bamboo production, can improve the economy and also provide a source of livelihood for the citizens.

 He stated that bamboo production can be used for the construction of houses, making of furniture, medical purposes, and firewood.

          "Bamboo plantation is one of the non-timber aspects of forestry which has a lot of economic value, such as the use of bamboo for construction of storey buildings instead of Scaffolding and the making of furniture," he said.

          Olatunji further said that ‘’bamboo plantation can also be used to reclaim the land that had been degraded, where excavation of sand had taken place’’.

          The Permanent Secretary advised farmers and other prospective investors to key into the commercial potential of bamboo plantation instead of focusing on timber plantation alone.

          Contributing, the Director of Forestry, Non-Timber, Forest Programmes, Wild Life and Eco-Tourism Department, Dr. Gbotemi Adeleye said the Ministry is targeting to plant 2400 bamboo ( bambusa valgaris) for the year.

          Dr. Adeleye also revealed that bamboo has been contributing to the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state, with the potential to yield more.