Climbing bamboo sprouts as next
important handicraft and furniture resource

By Rizalina K. Araral
MediaCore, FPRDI

Forest Products Research and Development Institute botanist Dr. Ramiro P. Escobin predicts that the little known Philippine climbing bamboos may be the next important source of raw materials for the handicraft and furniture industries.

“This is especially true for the Dinochloa genus whose poles are similar to those of rattan,” he says.

“Researchers must seriously start studying our climbing bamboos because like the erect species, they can help meet the huge raw material needs of our multi-million dollar handicraft and furniture industries”, he added

“Supply will not be a problem,” Dr. Escobin adds, “because many climbing bamboos, like the Dinochloa, thrive all over the country”.

“Sixteen years ago, an estimated 8.3 billion linear meters of poles were available for exploitation.  Before we can tap this abundant resource, however, we need baseline data on the species' anatomy and chemistry. We also need to make and test prototype products”, he said

Dr. Escobin, FPRDI's research chair for 2004 is preparing a field guide to the species' identification of climbing bamboos.