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Bamboo Villages Cluster

1. Objective:

The objective of this MOU is to establish a collaborative partnership between donor ———- and BSI to develop a bamboo village cluster and eventually a bamboo forest producer organisation/company , bamboo based industry, focusing on sustainable development, rural livelihoods, and environmental conservation in India.

2. Scope of Collaboration:

i. Donor ——— agrees to provide funding for the development of the bamboo villages cluster project as mutually agreed upon by the Parties.

ii. BSI agrees to implement the project activities, including but not limited to, bamboo cultivation, processing, training, capacity building, and marketing initiatives.

iii. The Parties will work together to identify suitable locations for the bamboo villages cluster, considering factors such as land availability, community engagement, and infrastructure support.

iv. BSI will ensure the engagement and participation of local communities, relevant stakeholders, and government agencies throughout the project implementation.

3. Roles and Responsibilities of donor .

i. Approve the Bamboo village cluster identified by the BSI.

ii. Transfer funds in advance

iii. Visit the cluster quarterly to observe and take note of the progress.

iv. Provide timely comments and suggestions to the Implementing Agency.

v. Engage in activities such as publicity at the cluster and company level.

vi. Claim tax, CSR and carbon credits as per the law, and

vii. Publish news, journal articles, and reports, and produce documentary movies.

4. Roles and Responsibilities of the Bamboo Society of India (BSI):

i. Consult with the donor and  identify  village cluster in Karnataka State by BSI and finalise the  Village cluster

ii. Identify suitable bamboo species based on the local ecological conditions, market demand, and the needs of the project.

iii. Procure high-quality bamboo seeds or seedlings from reputable and suitable sources to ensure the establishment of healthy and productive bamboo plantations.

iv. Produce and supply bamboo seedlings to farmers, ensuring their proper handling, transportation,  timely distribution and planting .

v. Provide technical guidance and training to farmers on the selection, planting, and care of bamboo seedlings.

vi. Offer incentives and support to farmers for the successful establishment and maintenance of bamboo plantations.

vii. Publish technical bulletins and guidelines on bamboo cultivation and management, sharing best practices and knowledge with farmers.

viii. Appoint supervisors at the cluster level to provide on-site guidance, monitor the progress of plantation activities, and facilitate effective implementation.

ix. Collaborate with research institutions or experts to ensure the selection and adoption of appropriate bamboo value-addition technologies and practices.

x. Identify and engage bamboo entrepreneurs who can set up bamboo value-addition units near the village cluster, providing them with the necessary guidance and support.

xi. Explore possibilities of establishing a common facilities centre

xii. Identify and arrange for the marketing of bamboo and bamboo-based products at remunerative rates, exploring domestic and international market opportunities.

xiii. Regularly assess and evaluate the growth and health of bamboo plantations, providing feedback to farmers and implementing necessary measures for their improvement.

xiv. Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and guidelines related to bamboo cultivation, processing, and marketing.

xiv. Work towards formation of Farmers Producer Organisation/Company for the clusters

xvi. Collaborate with NBM and other relevant government agencies, NGOs, and stakeholders to leverage additional support and resources for the project's success.

5. Project funding, scheduling and planned outputs and outcomes:

i. The schedule of project works and the timeline will be worked out . The Implementing Agency agrees to execute the works accordingly.

ii. This is a five year project and the first years target of planting 25000 bamboo plants. The  subsequent year’s  target for planting will be determined by BSI based on progress made during the previous year and the local peoples demand. In all it is proposed to plant 100000 plants in the cluster preferably  in two years period

Since this project proposes partial funding to the farmers willing to take up bamboo plantations towards plants cost , transportation, planting, inputs , some incentives for surviving plants to be given in instalments, etc and the other cost such as cost of irrigation,  maintenance of the plantations, etc will have to be borne by the farmers, efforts will be made to source the subsidy offered by NBM or other funding agencies to meet  the additional cost.

iii. Both parties will strive jointly and collectively to accomplish the outputs and outcomes listed in APPENDIX – III.

iv. Both parties agree to review and revise the above Appendices from time to time and incorporate such changes as may be necessary. 

6. Project Governance:

i. The Parties agree to establish a Project Steering Committee (PSC) comprising representatives from both Gland-Fosun Foundation and Bamboo Society and other key stakeholders to the Project.

ii. PSC is the final authority to approve all the decisions related to the project.

iii. The PSC shall meet periodically to review the project's progress, provide guidance, and address any issues that may arise during the implementation.

iv. The PSC will be responsible for approving project plans, budgets, and major project decisions.

v. The Parties will designate focal points to coordinate and facilitate communication between the Parties and ensure effective collaboration.

7. Intellectual Property Rights: Any intellectual property rights generated as a result of the collaborative project shall be jointly owned by the Parties. Both Parties agree to share the benefits arising from the project equitably, respecting the principles of fairness and transparency.

8. Duration and Termination:

i. This MOU shall be valid for five years unless extended or terminated prematurely.

ii. It shall come into effect on the date of signing and shall remain in force until the completion of the bamboo villages cluster project unless terminated earlier by mutual agreement or due to unforeseen circumstances.

iii. Either Party may terminate this MOU by providing a written notice of termination to the other Party with a minimum of thirty (30) days' notice.

Appendix III

Anticipated Targets ,Outputs and         Outcomes :

1.Planting target

i)First year  target to plant 25000.

ii)2nd year target 75000 plants

iii) Expected Survival rate 80% ie  80000 plants

2.      Estimated Productivity:

i) First yields from 4 Th year , 3 poles per plant @ Rs 10/- per pole , Rs 30 per plant .

ii) 5th year , 3 poles per plant , Rs 20/- per pole , Rs 60 per plant .

iii) 6 Th year to 7th year , average 5 poles per plant @ Rs 40/- , 200/- per clump .

iv) 8 Th year onwards average 10 poles per plant per year  @ 80/- per pole , 800/- per clump .

vi) expected income from this project: 80000 plants x 800= ₹6,40,00,000/-  every year once plants become   8 year old. Income can continue for another 30-40 years

3.      No of beneficiaries to be covered :                                   i) First year beneficiaries no: 100

ii) Beneficiaries to cover in 5 years 800

4.      4th year have entrepreneurs workshop to finalise investor on bamboo based industry

5.      5th year guide and facilitate the short listed entrepreneur in establishing bamboo based industry with preparing treated poles for fencing, treated poles for construction, Agarbathi sticks , pellets , charcoal, bio fertiliser, etc

6.      Can sequester about 17 tonnes of Carbon per ha per year . 80000 plants equals 170 Ha . So project sequesters 2870 tonnes  Carbon per year every year

7.      Bamboo caters  to the following sustainable development goals of the UN :

Goal 1 : no poverty

Goal 2: zero hunger

Goal 3: good health and well-being

Goal 5: gender equality

Goal 6: clean water and sanitation

Goal 7: affordable and clean energy

Goal 8: decent work and economic growth

Goal 9: industry innovation and infrastructure

Goal 10: reduce inequalities

Goal 14: climate action

Goal 15: life on land