Guyana bets on bamboo
Nov 03, 2025
…new pilot aims to restore forests, boost community livelihoods
(Kaieteur News) – The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), through the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), has launched a new initiative titled “Piloting Bamboo for Restoration and Sustainable Livelihoods in Guyana.”
The project was officially introduced on October 27, 2025, at the GFC Multiplex Building in Kingston and marks a major step toward integrating bamboo into Guyana’s forest restoration and green economic development plans, a press release by the ministry said.
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat
Supported by the European Union Delegation in Guyana under the EUROCLIMA Programme, the initiative is being delivered with technical expertise from Expertise France, the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR), and the GFC’s Forest Resources Management Division.
According to the ministry, building on restoration efforts under the National Forest Restoration Initiative (NFRI), the bamboo pilot will assess the potential of naturally occurring bamboo species to rehabilitate degraded lands, including mined-out areas while creating new livelihood opportunities for forest-dependent communities.
The project, the release stated will. strengthen Guyana’s push to diversify its forest economy through bamboo-based products and value chains. Community partners across Region Ten including Maria Elizabeth, Three Friends, Coomacka, Old England, Nottinghamshire, Richmond Hill, and Siberian will participate in the design and operation of a dedicated pilot site.
Delivering the feature address, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat identified bamboo as a key contributor to Guyana’s low-carbon, sustainable forest economy, and stressed the importance of collaboration to build viable markets for bamboo products.
Fast-growing, versatile, and rich in environmental benefits, bamboo offers strong potential for climate resilience, economic inclusion, and ecosystem restoration.
This launch reaffirms Guyana’s commitment to advancing sustainable forest management and building a future-ready green economy for communities nationwide.
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