Bioeconomy Model for Indonesia Part 2

In addition to using leguminoceae trees such as calliandra in the form of energy plantation, as described in more detail in the bioeconomy model for Indonesia part 1, bamboo trees can also be used as pioneering plants and impact the development of various bioeconomy derivative activities. Why can bamboo trees be used in this case? Bamboo trees belonging to the group of grasses (gramineae) can grow in almost all places in Indonesia and are resistant to dry conditions, this is also because bamboo plants are plant species with C4 photosynthesis. Ground water will also rise up to the surface by bamboo plants, so that areas that were originally dry can become fertile and water is easily available.

The damage to the environment generally starts from the destruction of the soil which has become dry and barren. This condition causes the land to be untapped and further worsens the damage so desertification can occur. Damage to the soil can be caused by the use of chemical fertilizers, lack of or not available water sources and unsustainable land management. Bamboo trees that are also easy to grow can be used to improve these conditions. For this reason, bamboo plantations need to be made to rehabilitate land and also benefit economically. It only takes about 3 years for bamboo trees to be harvested and can then be harvested continuously for more than 30 years.

Bamboo can be used for biomaterials, but of course the most economical use is sought. Bamboo can be used for the production of various types of products such as building materials, paper raw materials, energy sources, activated carbon, to high-quality textiles and for more detail can be read here. The number of products that can be produced from bamboo will certainly be its own driving force. Currently there are still a number of imported products, even though they should be produced domestically. Textile raw materials such as cotton and wool are examples of raw materials that are still imported in very large quantities, and this can also be substituted with raw materials from bamboo, even better quality.

With bamboo plantations that improve environmental conditions and economic aspects, further development can continue to be carried out later, such as the creation of fruit gardens and livestock, especially sheep. The fertile soil and water are easily available making various fruit trees grow well, so can the making of pastures with green grass. Rotation grazing techniques as the best grazing technique today can be applied in the pasture. The economic sector based on this has become more passionate and a real example of bioeconomy.

Starting from bamboo, the nation's economic sector and people can become strong. Strategic sectors such as food, clothing, shelter, and energy can be fulfilled and are not import dependent. There are tens of millions of hectares of land available in Indonesia, and can be used for these bamboo plantations. Indonesia's condition with a tropical climate with high rainfall also strongly supports bamboo plantations in Indonesia. Let us improve and save the environment as well as to lead in the bioeconomy era with bamboo plantations, its processing industry and its development.

Bamboo As Biomaterial

The image of some people about bamboo is still negative, which is imagined as a bad bamboo hut and identical with the poor in the countryside. Whereas bamboo is a plant that has many uses and its use is also not inferior to wood. Construction of Barajas airport ceilings in Madrid, Spain for example using bamboo and interior of Toyota Lexus cars, and bamboo sport bikes. The use of bamboo for activated charcoal making is also widely done. Activated carbon is charcoal which is activated that has a large surface area, so it is commonly used for adsorbing filters of various chemical compounds. Over time the utilization of bamboo is also increasingly widespread, and will be very long when described one by one about the products that can be produced from bamboo. The problem that bamboo plantations in Indonesia in particular is also decreasing so it needs to be encouraged including its utilization, especially in the era of bioeconomy that is in sight.

Unlike the energy plantation that uses leguminoceae and can be harvested every year from its coppice (SRC: short rotation coppice), bamboo plantations can be harvested when at least 3 years old and can be harvested for decades. Energy plantation are capable of generating high productivity from their timber making it economical for wood pellet production, while bamboo is uneconomical for pellet production because it is much advantageous for many other needs. Waste or residue of bamboo processing that can be used to make pellets. Bamboo is more suitable for biomaterial sources that are also very needed in the era of bioeconomy today.

When bamboo is preserved with a certain treatment the durability is long so it can be aged up to tens of years, one of them because it is resistant to termites. Exotic and natural nuanced buildings are also made of bamboo. When the need for housing is higher especially in big cities, then bamboo can also be the solution. With the bamboo composite technology becomes strong, hard and durable even up to tens of years making it suitable for the manufacture of these houses. Do not imagine bamboo house with such composite technology as rustic bamboo huts in the countryside because almost all types of houses and models can also be made with the bamboo composite. In addition, the manufacture of houses with bamboo composite is fast and also environmentally friendly.