WHY WE EXIST
Biomass accounts for over 88% of Malawi's energy demand and more than 90% of the population relies
on agriculture for their livelihood.
Coupled with rapid population growth, these factors have created a huge deforestation problem. Between 1975 and 2005 forest cover fell from around 47% to 36% and, at current deforestation rates, the country could be devoid of trees by 2079.
We have witnessed this change firsthand and the numerous issues it creates.
We decided that we wanted to do something about it.
Hansueli Krapf This file was uploaded with Commonist., CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
WHAT WE DO
We propagate bamboo seedlings in the nursery at our Central Region HQ in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Our seedlings are propagated from selected, and certified, imported seed. We also plan to produce seedlings through tissue culture in the near future. The principal variety is Dendrocalamus asper (Giant Bamboo) but other varieties are produced as required.
We also provide information, training supervision and audit on request.
The seedlings offer a long-term, efficient and environmentally friendly source of energy for both domestic and commercial use. They also provide material for construction and furniture making and, most importantly, play a role in environmental restoration and protection within the country.
WHY BAMBOO
Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. It can be grown on marginal soils, meaning it doesn't have to compete with agriculture for more fertile land. It can be harvested sooner than any fast growing timber alternatives and, because it grows in multi-stemmed clumps, managed bamboo can be harvested year after year for the lifetime of the plant.
The biomass from bamboo can be used directly as firewood or converted into charcoal. The charcoal produced burns for longer and produces less smoke than many timber based varieties.
Bamboo also provides a strong construction material which can be used to produce anything from furniture to floorboards. In short, it is an effective substitute for timber in its current uses and a natural resource with the potential to build new industries and sources of income for the people of Malawi.
GET IN TOUCH
If you'd like to learn more about what we do, or if you want to enquire about purchasing some of our bamboo seedlings, please feel free to get in touch using the contact details provided below.
Our normal working hours are 08:00-17:00 Monday-Saturday. If you are contacting us outside of these hours please email us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Drop us an email via:
Give us a call on:
+265 (0)888 821 424 - Rob Kilner
+265 (0)994 493 064 - Chris Kilner
