This study was a combination of group discussions with government officials at different levels and direct interviews with bamboo growers, local collectors, traders and a processor In Cao Bang Province, Vietnam. Results of this research show that the bamboo export ban policy negatively affected bamboo growers, local collectors, the bamboo processor, and bamboo production in Cao Bang. Bamboo prices during the ban were 25% - 28% lower than after the ban was lifted, in real terms. | Trần Đại Nghĩa Tạp chí KHOA HỌC & CÔNG NGHỆ 64(02): 22 - 26 IMPACTS OF CHANGING POLICY IN BAMBOO PRODUCTION TO INCOME AND POVERTY ALLERICTION ISSUES IN CAO BANG PROVINCE Tran Dai Nghia Thai Nguyen University ABSTRACT This study was a combination of group discussions with government officials at different levels and direct interviews with bamboo growers, local collectors, traders and a processor In Cao Bang Province, Vietnam. Results of this research show that the bamboo export ban policy negatively affected bamboo growers, local collectors, the bamboo processor, and bamboo production in Cao Bang. Bamboo prices during the ban were 25% - 28% lower than after the ban was lifted, in real terms. The removal of the ban has since boosted bamboo business, and increased income for bamboo growers, local collectors and the processor. Bamboo prices are now about 10% higher than the price before the ban and 25% higher than during the ban. Bamboo production is really a poverty alleviation measure for H’mong and Dzao groups in bamboo growing districts of Cao Bang such as Nguyen Binh, Bao Lac. Key words: Bamboo, production, poverty alleviation, Cao Bang. * 1. Background Cao Bang is a large mountainous province in north-eastern Vietnam, adjacent to the provinces of Lang Son, Bac Kan, Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang. It also shares a 311kilometre border with the Chinese province of Guangxi to the north. Cao Bang has about 5,000 hectares of bamboo, including 4,000 hectares of the truc sao (Phyllostachys edulis) species accounting for about 17% of total production forest or of the total forestland of the province [4]. Bamboo is a main income source for many people, particularly in poor and remote upland areas. The bamboo production plays an important role in income generation in general and in poverty alleviation in particular to poor, especially, ethnic minority groups in mountainous districts of Cao Bang province [2, 8]. production to poverty alleviation program in Cao Bang .
