Several vegetable farmers we met in Majayjay and Liliw, Laguna use a lot of bamboo stakes in growing their cucumber, ampalaya and other vine vegetables. Their problem is that the stakes are becoming more expensive. They used to pay P10 per piece of about 8 to 10 feet long. When we met them in late February 2019, the price had gone up to P12 apiece.

Sometimes the bamboo stakes are not readily available. One supplier was accosted by government agents on his way to deliver a trailer-load of bamboo stakes to his buyers. Why? Because he did not have a permit from the DENR to deliver such materials. Previously, no permits were required. Without any permit, the load could be confiscated and the vehicle impounded. Now the fellow has stopped delivering bamboo stakes.

BACK TO BLACK BAMBOO – We believe the farmers should plant the Black Bamboo near where they grow their vegetables. It could be in the periphery of their farms. The Black Bamboo produces a lot of culms that are just the right size for the purpose of the vegetable farmers. There are no thorns and the culm has no branches.

One possibility is for an enterprising fellow who has access to a property for growing the Black Bamboo in big numbers. It could be at the edge of a river or stream that is not used for growing anything of value. Then he could supply the requirements of the farmers in the community.

Think about this money-making possibility.