In rural Fiji, bamboo plants thrive abundantly, recognized for their sustainability, renewability, and versatility. As one of the fastest-growing plants globally, bamboo has been a long-standing building material in Fiji. Villages in Naitasiri and Namosi continue to showcase bamboo homes, some adorned with intricate woven designs by skilled artisans.
On September 18, Fiji, along with many countries, celebrated World Bamboo Day, established in 2009 to highlight the diverse benefits of this remarkable plant. The government and various partners commemorated the occasion at Colo-i-Suva Park, with Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Alitia Bainivalu, emphasizing the plant’s importance for sustainability, environmental health, and economic development.
Minister Bainivalu noted that bamboo’s rapid growth and varied applications—from construction to art—make it a crucial resource for the future. Fiji hosts around 20 bamboo species, including the indigenous Polynesian bamboo known as bitu dina (schizostachyum glaucifolium), with uses ranging from culinary to construction and various cultural applications. Many species were introduced in the mid-1800s, becoming vital to Fiji’s ecosystem.
Some bamboo species, such as punting pole bamboo (Bambusa tuldoides), giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus), and tali bamboo (Gigantochloa apus), remain rare and localized. Bainivalu highlighted ongoing research and development aimed at exploring and expanding the potential applications of these species in communities.
One initiative enhancing bamboo’s local 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. According to the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), this project aims to promote sustainable bamboo production as a construction material, addressing Fiji’s housing shortage while minimizing the environmental impact of the construction sector and creating employment opportunities across the bamboo value chain.
The GGGI notes that bamboo has been widely utilized in housing technologies throughout the Asia-Pacific region, capable of withstanding severe weather events, such as Category 5 typhoons. Collaborating closely with various local and international NGOs, GGGI hopes to implement the Fiji Bamboo Project effectively.
Norbert Maass, GGGI’s country representative for Fiji, expressed enthusiasm for the project’s potential, stating that it is an important initiative with tangible impacts. Launched in June with a funding of $400,000 (approximately FJ$884,687), the project focuses on bamboo’s use in construction as a sustainable and affordable alternative to imported materials, creating job opportunities for women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Maass shared that groundwork is underway, including research with Fiji National University (FNU) to assess the availability and types of local bamboo species. Following this, they plan to engage private sector partners for pilot projects in construction. They are taking insights from the Base Bahay Foundation in the Philippines, which has successfully built thousands of bamboo homes, and aim to develop a local industry benefiting Fijians seeking affordable housing.
Sukulu Soko, founder and director of Sunnyville Bamboo, expressed excitement about the project, which he sees as a culmination of years of advocacy for bamboo utilization in construction. Soko, who possesses extensive knowledge of bamboo craftsmanship, has worked to educate communities on bamboo’s significance and has trained ministry officials.
He is optimistic about the project, remarking on the potential to use proven construction technologies from countries facing natural disasters, such as the Philippines. By adopting these methods, Fiji can enhance living standards and develop local products, fostering micro and medium enterprises to support the community.
In line with the Government’s initiative to eradicate informal settlements and reduce climate change vulnerabilities, the Fiji Bamboo Project aims to provide affordable, climate-resilient housing over the next decade.