China funds edible bamboo shoots processing unit

M.P. Muttiah

An edible bamboo shoot processing unit has been established at the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI). the China's Common Fund Commodities (CFC) provided the finance for the equipment, the International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan (ICBR) with support of the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) donated the unit.

This facility provides a state-of-the-art canning and vacuum packing machinery including several other supportive machines.

This unit will provide training to food industrialists to process bamboo shoots.

ITI has also invited small and large-scale industries to invest in this venture that is financially profitable.

Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana inaugurated the production and processing unit recently.

Speaking at the occasion, the Minister observed that for the first time edible bamboo shoots were introduced in Sri Lanka and currently they are cultivated on nine hectares.

The first harvest is expected this month. These edible bamboo shoots grow well in the Gampaha and Kalutara districts.

Three varieties of edible bamboo were introduced in Sri Lanka two years ago. They include Dendriocalcamns latiflorus and Dendriocalmaus oldhami imported from China and Mucana baciferra from Bangladesh.

The Industrial Technology Institute also held a meeting with stakeholders to coincide with the visit of the Chinese delegation.

International Project Coordinator Prof. Chen Xuhe and ITI Technology Section head Dr. Jaanaki Gooneratne also attended the opening ceremony.