African Bamboo initiated preparatory activities for the socially responsible plantation in Munesa in 2020. The socially responsible plantation model is important for African Bamboo as it provides options for developing new sources of bamboo on leased land, while maintaining the original occupants on the land as tenants (i.e. de facto users with no legal rights to the land).

We are committed to ensuring that tenants are better off than they would have been without the project. Tenancies can be purchased and sold with AB’s prior approval, and the land developed under bamboo agroforestry systems for mutual benefit of the parties. AB provides technical assistance, secures funds, delivers supplies and equipment, while the tenants work the land for an agreed profit share.

This model will provide tenants with resources that they would otherwise not have access to, supporting intensification of intercropping to boost yields, as well as delivering carbon revenues to support tenant incomes prior to maturation of bamboo clumps.

Since initial engagement in the site, African Bamboo has successfully:

• Developed a plantation feasibility study.
• Conducted community consultations, engagement and stakeholder mapping activities.
• Signed a letter of Agreement in Principle with the Munesa land authority for the development of a net 2000 ha plantation.
• Conducted participatory boundary delineation for a 1,600 ha area. Developed a financial model for site activities.
• Completed initial site mapping.
• Developed a bamboo growth and yield model.
• Completed an environmental impact assessment and secured our environmental permit.
• Engaged NGO partners to support community engagement, training and capacity strengthening.
• Compiled preliminary lists of vertebrate biodiversity.

We aim to develop the project site once the necessary capital has been raised.