(Source: VNA, rtbf.be and sillonbelge.be) In June 2021, 7 hectares of land, equivalent to 20% of the family’s land area, was set aside by Matthieu Degallaix to build his future bamboo forest. With this decision, this man who used to be a fireplace repairman in Belgium has surprised many people because this is still a new plant in many European countries.
“Innovate or do nothing!”. These are the concerns of Matthieu Degallaix when he first took over the family farm. He confided that when he took over the land from his parents, he wanted a breakthrough, planting more ecological crops and bringing more profits. And he decided to invest in growing bamboo because it is a herbaceous plant that grows naturally on all continents except Europe and is having some success.
Matthieu said the bamboo consumption market is very large. Bamboo shoots are used for the food, cosmetic and medical industries. Bamboo fiber is 70% cellulose, so bamboo is also useful for making clothes, paper and bioplastics. In the automotive and construction sectors, bamboo is used to insulate buildings, create structures and make furniture. If demand booms, European imports of bamboo materials could amount to $700 million per year.
Currently, in addition to Matthieu’s land, a new bamboo area has been planted in Ittre, covering an area of 3 hectares. “A third will take place next June in the Gouy region,” And in 2040. “We plan to plant 30 hectares/year from 2023 to 2027 and 50 hectares/year from 2028 to 2040 to achieve a total an area of about 750 ha.
Matthieu said the bamboo consumption market is very large. Bamboo shoots are used for the food, cosmetic and medical industries. Bamboo fiber is 70% cellulose, so bamboo is also useful for making clothes, paper and bioplastics. In the automotive and construction sectors, bamboo is used to insulate buildings, create structures and make furniture. If demand booms, European imports of bamboo materials could amount to $700 million per year.
Growing bamboo also attracts Matthieu in terms of sustainability, because bamboo can replace intensive crops with greener agriculture. Bamboo absorbs more CO2 and gives off more oxygen. Besides, bamboo also grows faster and responds quickly to demand, with limited space and water requirements. Matthieu also mentioned a remarkable feature of bamboo that is that this plant is disease-free and does not require phytosanitary treatment.
Matthieu started growing bamboo last spring and he expects in five years, his 6,000 bamboo plants will grow and become profitable. Now Matthieu is showing everyone his breakthroughs in the field of horticulture. Bamboo is opening up new environmental and economic prospects for growers.
“The average revenue of a hectare of mature bamboo (5 years) is between €15,000 and €22,000/ha/year depending on production and intended use,” says Matthieu. And an annual planting of 10-year-old bamboo yields from 500 to 2,500 roots/ha and from 7.5 to 15 tons/ha.
Contact Info
EcoBambu Bamboo Joint Stock Company
Selling giant bamboo varieties in Quang Ngai – Selling landscape bamboo – Cooperating to grow giant bamboo for wood
Website: ecobambu.vn – Fanpage: facebook.com/TreSinhThaiEcoBambu
Address: 126 Le Trung Dinh – Nguyen Nghiem Ward – Quang Ngai
Hotline: 0918. 664. 966 – 0935. 661. 189
