The Hindu Business Line : Bamboo festival in Kochi from Dec 6

The Department of Industries and Commerce of the Kerala Government, in association with the State Bamboo Mission, is organising a bamboo festival in Kochi from December 6 to 9.

Artisans and craftsmen from Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Maharashtra, apart from the local industry, will participate in the event titled ‘Kerala Bamboo Fest – 2007’, and display their expertise and skills.

A platform

According to department officials, the festival has been so designed as to provide a platform for artisans and craftsmen, and the bamboo industry in the State to showcase their products as also to help them share their information and experience.

It is also aimed at exposing the State’s bamboo community to mechanisation and advanced processing techniques and practices.

Fostering links

The organisers are also looking at obtaining the involvement of national and international agencies in furthering the State’s activities in the bamboo sector and fostering links between national level research agencies and the industry.

Interaction

The festival will facilitate creation of linkages between producers and markets, and provide opportunities for participants to interact with designers and researchers, adopt new production techniques and source machinery and technology for new products.

An array of products such as handicrafts, furniture and wood substitutes; construction and structural applications and industrial products; and specialised bamboo processing machinery will be on display at the festival.