Study Tracks Unexpected Growth Potential for Bamboo Production in Florida
A study initiated by the Florida Bamboo Growers Association (FBGA) to understand the potential of industrial bamboo farming in the region has revealed previously unrecognized potential for the bamboo crop industry.
The association partnered with Don Rockwood of Florida FGT (Florida Fast Growing Trees) and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) to better understand the growth of bamboo in the Sunshine State. Rockwood has teamed with UF/IFAS Associate Professor Dr. Davie Kadyampakeni and a group of researchers to evaluate production of select bamboo farms.
Established in 2022, the FBGA anticipates the potential for this niche crop to bolster agricultural production lost by the decline in the citrus industry. However, little reliable research has been conducted in the region to understand just how much a local bamboo farm can produce.
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According to this new study’s findings, a bamboo shoots crop could potentially yield 6,000 to 10,000 pounds per acre, far exceeding current harvest rates of about 2% that volume. This is exciting news for bamboo farmers who are in the process of developing best practices in this young crop industry.
Learning that current harvesting practices do not maximize the full potential of the crop offers bamboo growers hope for yields far greater than currently experienced.
Future supporting research to determine best practices for healthy, productive bamboo farms in Florida is expected to bolster the resources available to growers and support growth in the industry.
For more information, visit fbgabamboo.com.
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