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E. D. Borah , K. C. Pathak , B. Deka , D. Neog , K. Borah

Abstract

Bamboos are one of the versatile plant groups with multifarious uses and meet many needs of the society. Bamboo is a viable replacement for wood and industrial raw material for both traditional cottage and modern industrial sectors. The employment potential of bamboo is very high and the major work forces involved are rural poor. The paper elucidates the potential of bamboo as an industrial raw material in various sectors viz., food production, building and construction material, wood substitute, cottage industries, handicraft, pulp and paper, medicinal products, and charcoal production. The paper also explicates the scope of development of domestic and export market for bamboo. With new technical, marketing finesse and renewed commitment, bamboo could take on the role as the material of the future.

Keywords

Bamboos, Utilization, Domestic Market, Export

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K. C. Pathak , D. K. Banerjee , B. Deka , E. D. Borah , D. Neog , K. Borah

Abstract

This paper details work being carried out at the Rain Forest Research Institute, Jorhat (Assam) on genetic conservation and improvement of economically important bamboo species.

Keywords

Bamboos, North-East India, Genetic Conservation, Improvement

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B. Sharma ¹, M. Gogoi ¹, A. M. Begam ¹, R. Bhattacharjee ¹, B. Deka ², U. Goswami ³

Affiliations
1 Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Assam Agricultural University, JORHAT (ASSAM), IN
2 Krishi Vigyan Kendra (A.A.U.), JORHAT (ASSAM), IN
3 Assam Agricultural University, JORHAT (ASSAM), IN

Abstract

Agriculture is an important sector where majority of women labour force is engaged and because of using age old tools and implements most of their tasks are tedious monotonous and drudgery prone. Researchers of ICAR institutes effort in introducing various time and energy saving tools to relieve their drudgery in agricultural work has been proven effective in many times. Present study in OFT form is an effort to assess the impact of improved garden tools i.e. Garden rack, Circular blade weeder and hand fork on economic viability and physiological workload of women in comparison with traditional age old tools Kuhrpi and Hoe conducted in 5 districts of Assam comprising 40 beneficiaries and 40 non-beneficiaries. Result revealed that less time required in all selected activities by using improved garden tools resulted less labour cost than simple Hoe and Khurpi. Moreover, differences of energy expenditure (both by using improved garden tools and traditional Kuhrpi and Hoe) in same activities indicates it helps in reducing physiological fatigue. Opinion perceived by farm women of using such tools is highly acceptable than Hoe and Khurpi.

Keywords

Farm tools, Women Worker, Productivity, Drudgery.

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