1. Adoption of Bamboo as a New Fiber Source to Supplement Timber Supply in Ghana’s Forest Products Industry: A Focus on the Principal Tertiary and Panel Product Exporters Richard Bonsi and A. L. Hammett Department of Wood Science and Forest Products Abstract The annual deforestation rate of Ghana’s forest resource due to logging, agriculture and firewood far surpasses the rate of replenishment. To ensure sustenance of the wood industry a quick intervention becomes crucial. Bamboo has become a globally important fiber source for products such as floorings, garden furniture and bath towels, and selling at competitive prices. The use of fast growing plantation bamboo in Ghana would avail ample raw material to the wood industry on a sustainable basis, preserve the natural forest and contribute to soil and water conservation. The study hinges on the ‘natural capital strong sustainability theory’, which allows manmade living capital (e.g. planted bamboo) to substitute for natural capital (e.g. natural forests) and simultaneously meet economic and conservation goals. This is opposed to the unrealistic neoclassical theory whose interpretation means that, technology (e.g. machines) can completely substitute for natural capital. The wood industry and related institutional heads will be interviewed and barriers that may affect the adoption of bamboo in the industry determined. Outputs Profile Ghana’s forest products industry and determine its impact on the forest resource base. Identify through interviews barriers perceived by managing directors/general managers that may affect the adoption of bamboo as a new fiber source in the tertiary and panel sectors of the industry. Determine through interviews factors that may help policy makers and industry associations influence increased adoption of bamboo by the industry. Answer several key questions during the fieldwork in early 2007 including: 1. inventory of current and potential bamboo products 2. availability of scientific information on bamboo plantation management 3. willingness of the industry to change some production lines to use bamboo 4. marketing information Analysis Analyze results using descriptive and multivariate statistics and qualitative analysis. Anticipated Results The study results (identification of barriers) will include recommendations on institutional and change management models and related issues to policy makers, the industry, and affiliated associations towards increased use of bamboo to supplement domestic wood raw material supply in Ghana’s wood industry. The results and recommendations will help mills to convert some production lines to use bamboo and save the remaining natural forest from over harvest. Purpose To determine willingness of the industry to use bamboo To determine barriers to adoption of bamboo in the wood industry To reduce rate of deforestation To ensure sustainable supply of raw material and create jobs To meet the goals of soil and water cleanliness. Selected References Costanza, R., S. Farber, B. Castaneda and M. Grasso. 2001. Green National Accounting: Goals and Methods, In: The Economics of Nature and the Nature of Economics. Edward Elgar Publishing, Northampton, USA. 293pp. Ghana Government Homepage. 2004. Help Develop Bamboo as Alternative to Timber – Fobih. http://www.ghana.gov.gh/investing/ http://www.ghana.gov.gh/investing/ Bamboo flooring, ladle & fork Harvested natural timber Market trend for natural timber Bamboo plantation Harvested natural timber Contacts Richard Bonsi and Dr. A. L. Hammett, Department of Wood Science & Forest Products, 230 Cheatham Hall (0323), Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061 Phone: (540)998-9609 and (540)231-2716 Fax: (540) 231-8176 Email: rbonsi@vt.edu and himal@vt.edurbonsi@vt.eduhimal@vt.edu Dean’s Forum on the Environment