Abstract

In Kerala, Homestead constitute one of the major sources of bamboo, in addition to forests. As the bamboo from forests are entirely earmarked for pulp and paper industry, the local demand for bamboo, including export, is mostly met from the homesteads. The ever growing demand for bamboo puts immense pressure on the existing resource base in the homesteads. This paper examines the economics of household production of bamboos and analyses the prospects and problems in the cultivation of bamboos in the homesteads. The study was carried out at Palaghat District of Kerala which has highest growing stock of bamboos in the homesteads. The study was based on primary data collected from a sample of cultivators and traders. The cultivation of this crop in the homesteads is found to be highly profitable. However, the farmers have not given adequate attention to its cultivation. It is observed that present management practices and inefficient marketing system are the two major