In rural Fiji, bamboo plants flourish abundantly, recognized for their sustainability, renewability, and versatility. Considered one of the fastest-growing plants globally, bamboo has been a vital construction material in Fiji for generations. Villages in Naitasiri and Namosi continue to showcase bamboo-built homes, often adorned with exquisite woven designs by skilled artisans.
On September 18, Fiji joined the worldwide observance of World Bamboo Day, an annual celebration initiated in 2009 that emphasizes the numerous benefits of bamboo. To mark the occasion, government officials and partners convened at Colo-i-Suva Park. Alitia Bainivalu, the Minister for Fisheries and Forests, highlighted bamboo’s crucial role in promoting sustainability, environmental health, and economic development. She emphasized its rapid growth and various uses, from construction to the arts, as essential for the future of Fiji.
Fiji is home to around 20 species of bamboo, including the indigenous bitu dina (schizostachyum glaucifolium). The plant’s applications in Fiji encompass culinary uses, building, and cultural practices, with many species introduced in the mid-1800s now integral to the local ecosystem. Bainivalu noted that while some species, such as the punting pole bamboo (Bambusa tuldoides) and giant bamboo (dendrocalamus giganteus), remain rare, the focus remains on their research and potential applications for community benefit.
To maximize bamboo’s advantages, the government has initiated the Fiji Bamboo Project, backed by funding from the New Zealand and Irish governments under the Low Emissions and Climate Resilient Development program. This project aims to support the sustainable production and use of bamboo in construction, addressing the pressing need for affordable and resilient housing in Fiji while creating job and business opportunities throughout the bamboo value chain.
According to the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), bamboo has been widely used in housing across the Asia Pacific, capable of withstanding severe weather, including Category 5 typhoons. GGGI plans to work closely with local and international NGOs to implement the project. Norbert Maass, GGGI’s country representative for Fiji, underscored the vast potential for developing diverse bamboo products and applications within the country.
Starting in June this year, the project received $400,000 in funding. Its focus lies on utilizing bamboo as a sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective alternative to imported materials, creating employment opportunities for women, youth, marginalized groups, and farmers in Fiji. GGGI intends to gather data on local bamboo species and engage the private sector to pioneer bamboo construction applications.
Sukulu Soko, the founder and director of Sunnyville Bamboo, expressed enthusiasm for the project. With extensive knowledge of bamboo’s uses, Soko has trained community members and ministry officials about its significance. He emphasized the importance of adapting successful building technologies from countries experiencing natural disasters to Fiji’s context, aiming to improve local living standards through bamboo-based initiatives.
Soko believes that bamboo presents an excellent opportunity for climate change adaptation if researched and utilized correctly. This initiative aligns with the government’s objectives to eliminate informal settlements and enhance resilience against climate change effects by offering affordable housing over the next decade.