We were honored to host representatives from the University of Antwerp, Belgium, for a visit aimed at exploring potential research collaborations in bamboo cultivation and sustainable practices. The visit provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and discuss innovative approaches in bamboo research, focusing on its environmental and economic benefits. This marks a significant step in strengthening global partnerships and advancing bamboo as a sustainable resource for future generations.

Damyang, is widely known for it’s Juknokwon (Bamboo Garden) (죽녹원), bamboo goods, and strawberry. This bamboo forest, at approximately 160,000 ㎡ in size, was formed in May 2003, as one of the most northern places where bamboo can grow in Korea. FAO mentioned that Damyang bamboo fields, planted over a thousand years ago, mark the very beginning of bamboo management and bamboo crafts in Korea. The traditional bamboo-based farming system in Damyang has been recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS). The Mayor explained his plans to expand and build new bamboo forest, as it’s main tourism attraction and source of raw material for bamboo-based industries in Damyang. Aside from planting bamboo species for production, the Mayor also planned to have a wide variety of bamboo, targeted to have the biggest bamboo collection in Korea. With limitation to traditional bamboo cultivation, the Mayor is looking forward to have a cooperation with PT Bambu Nusa Verde to supply high quality bamboo plantlets produced with tissue culture biotechnology, share information for the industrialization of bamboo through species preservation, and commercialization of bamboo. BNV’s tissue culture laboratory has successfully produced 47 varieties of bamboo now growing in 40 countries and 6 continents.