Current Status of Taiwan’s Bamboo Resources

According to Taiwan’s Fourth National Forest Resources Survey, bamboo forests cover approximately 180,000 hectares, accounting for 8% of the nation’s total forest area. Of this, 77,000 hectares are designated for bamboo production, primarily within public and private forests. Bamboo species vary by region: Makino bamboo is prevalent in the north, Moso bamboo in the central region, and thorny bamboo in the south.

Emerging Bamboo Industry Development Plan

To promote the revitalization of the bamboo industry, the government has launched a 10-year Emerging Bamboo Industry Development Plan, divided into three phases: 2022-2025 (short-term revitalization), 2026-2029 (mid-term sustainability), and 2030-2031 (long-term excellence). The initial phase of the plan focuses on interdepartmental collaboration and resource assessment. This includes guidance from the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency under the Ministry of Agriculture to support farmer associations in establishing bamboo stockyards and primary processing centers. The Industrial Development Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs is providing subsidies for processing facilities and promoting bamboo recycling technologies, while the Tourism Administration of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications is encouraging the use of bamboo structures in tourism-related projects.

Bamboo Production Bases and Implementation Status

The Longqi District Farmers’ Association in Tainan is planning a 60-hectare thorn bamboo production base, while local communities in Fuxing District, Taoyuan, are working on establishing sorting facilities and primary processing operations. Managing bamboo production involves processing bamboo tops, stalks, and ends, with leftover materials currently considered part of the forestry circular economy rather than agricultural waste. The government is exploring efficient recycling and reuse solutions for these materials.”

Policy Support and Talent Development

To accelerate regional bamboo industry growth, central government subsidies for emerging bamboo industry development projects have been implemented in Yunlin, Nantou, and Yilan, with related machinery development and applications underway in Chiayi. Beyond showcasing domestic industry highlights at the 2024 Bamboo Expo and World Bamboo Forum, a Bamboo Expo and International Bamboo Craft Workshop are planned for 2026 to promote the bamboo industry on a global scale. Additionally, thorny bamboo harvesting machinery is under development in collaboration with the Industrial Technology Research Institute and the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, aiming to enhance the renewal and production efficiency of aging thorny bamboo forests.