Traveling through rural Fiji reveals an abundance of bamboo, a plant known for its sustainability, renewability, and versatility. As one of the fastest-growing plants globally, bamboo has traditionally served as a vital building material in Fiji. Villages in areas like Naitasiri and Namosi continue to showcase homes constructed from bamboo, with some featuring intricate woven designs crafted by local artisans.
On September 18, Fiji joined the global community in celebrating World Bamboo Day, an event held annually since 2009 to spotlight the various benefits of bamboo. To commemorate this day, the government and its partners convened at Colo-i-Suva Park, where Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Alitia Bainivalu, emphasized the importance of bamboo for sustainability, environmental health, and economic development. She remarked on its rapid growth and wide range of uses, stating, “In Fiji, bamboo has been a cornerstone of our culture and daily life.”
Fiji is home to around 20 species of bamboo, including the indigenous Polynesian bamboo known as bitu dina (schizostachyum glaucifolium). Bamboo plays a role not just in construction but also in culinary practices and various cultural applications. Many bamboo species were introduced in the mid-1800s and have since become integral to Fiji’s ecosystem. Bainivalu noted that while some species, like punting pole bamboo (Bambusa tuldoides) and giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus), remain rare and localized, ongoing research aims to explore their uses further.
One significant initiative enhancing the local bamboo industry’s benefits is the Fiji Bamboo Project, funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. This initiative is designed to support sustainable production and use of bamboo as a construction material, addressing Fiji’s need for resilient and affordable housing while minimizing the environmental impact of the construction sector. The project also aims to create job and business opportunities throughout the bamboo value chain in Fiji.
The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) stated that bamboo has been widely utilized in housing technology across the Asia Pacific and can be instrumental in building durable structures capable of withstanding severe weather events. GGGI plans to implement the Fiji Bamboo Project in close collaboration with a coalition of local and international non-governmental organizations.
Norbert Maass, GGGI’s country representative for Fiji, expressed the organization’s commitment to the project, recognizing the significant potential for developing various bamboo products in Fiji. The project commenced in June with a budget of $400,000, focusing on employing bamboo in construction as an affordable alternative to imported materials, ultimately empowering women, youth, marginalized groups, and farmers.
To establish a solid foundation for the project, GGGI is conducting research in partnership with Fiji National University. This includes an inventory of local bamboo species and their availability. Once this groundwork is laid, the focus will shift to potential applications in the private sector and pilot projects in construction.
Sukulu Soko, founder and director of Sunnyville Bamboo, shared his excitement about the project, noting his extensive experience and knowledge of bamboo. He has been active in educating communities about bamboo’s significance and has trained government officials on the subject. Soko expressed his satisfaction that after years of advocacy, bamboo’s potential for construction is being formally recognized. He highlighted the opportunity for Fijians to adopt successful construction techniques used in countries facing natural disasters to improve local housing resilience.
Mr. Soko emphasized that with a scientific approach to bamboo construction, Fiji could enhance living standards and develop its own products, fostering small to medium enterprises that benefit the local community. He believes bamboo is ideal for climate change adaptation and, with adequate research, can be effectively utilized.
This project aligns with the Fijian government’s commitment to eliminating informal settlements and reducing vulnerability to climate change impacts by providing affordable, climate-resilient housing over the next decade.