Opportunities and Challenges in the Ethiopian Bamboo Sector: A Market Analysis of the Bamboo-Based Value Web

Abstract

Bamboo is one of the more important natural resources in Ethiopia and contributes to the bioeconomy as a potential source for high-value products. While the country is the largest producer of bamboo in Africa, the existing utilization of the bamboo sector in Ethiopia remains under-developed, with little value addition. This study identifies the current market challenges and opportunities for future developments of the northern Ethiopian bamboo sector, with a focus on the Injibara township. This research adopts the “value web” approach to assess the potentials of different product lines that create the bamboo biomass value web. We utilize qualitative data collection methods, in particular, semi-structured interviews and informal focus group discussions with key stakeholders. Our findings suggest that bamboo farmers in Injibara are constrained by a lack of local demand and market for bamboo products with high-value addition, leading to an absence of product diversification and innovation. Furthermore, there is an overreliance on foreign technology and methods that are poorly matched for local needs. We recommend that policymakers invest in targeted and effective training strategies on bamboo cultivation and processing. Furthermore, farmers can benefit from decreasing their reliance on middle men with cooperatives or contract arrangements.

Identifying Biomass-Based Value Webs for Food Security in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systems Modeling Approach

“…The concept of a value web as a more realistic approximation of actual interconnections is supported. This adds to a growing body of evidence that simplistic and linear value chains may be inadequate in the context of actors and exchanges of food and non-food biomass [11,[21][22][23][24][25][26]. The finding is also in line with predictions of increased complexity among actors and exchanges [11].…”

“…Based on prior research [23][24][25], we expect the concept of the value web to perform well in terms of revealing otherwise neglected interactions and the complexity of interconnections among actors and flows. We aim to test the hypothesis that a greater integration of value web factors across crops has occurred.…”

Adsorption Phenomenon of Arundinaria alpina Stem-Based Activated Carbon for the Removal of Lead from Aqueous Solution

“…is study is an attempt to investigate the Ethiopian bamboo-based activated carbon as an alternative option for lead removal. In Ethiopia, the natural bamboo forest has been estimated at around 1 million hectares which is the largest in the African continent accounting for 67% within the continent and 7% of the world total [8,9]. It produces an average annual stem increment of 8.5-10 tonnes (t) of oven-dry matter per ha and possible to harvest about 3 mills t yr-1 of oven-dry biomass on a sustainable basis from 1 mill.…”

Community-Level Analysis of Value Webs of Biomass-Based Resources: A Case Study among Local Actors in Ghana

“…For those that are still ready to establish farmlands are faced with either lack or inadequacy of arable lands for farming. These stated challenges are not only experienced in Ghana, but also in other parts of Africa regarding the use of biomass-based resources [39]. These prevailing locally known challenges could lead to household food insecurity issues among the low-income earners in the studied rural communities.…”