Panama has formally started the process to recognize bamboo as a new national agricultural commodity. Technical teams from the Ministry of Agricultural Development, producer associations, and the National Bamboo Commission held their first working session on Friday, November 15, in the province of Coclé. This initiative responds to a formal request from the nation’s bamboo industry to grant the plant official production status, a move that could unlock new economic opportunities for rural communities.
The newly formed technical table brings together specialists to review the scientific data, requirements, and processes necessary for this official designation. Their work focuses on building a compelling case for bamboo’s inclusion in the country’s agricultural portfolio. Officials from the Ministry of Agricultural Development (Panama) confirmed the meeting’s primary goal was to consolidate all supporting technical information.
We are reviewing the scientific information that supports the inclusion of bamboo as a productive crop in Panama, [Translated from Spanish]
said a ministry representative following the session. The gathering included consultants and the national board of the National Bamboo Commission, known locally as Conaba.
Analyzing the Economic and Agronomic Potential
During the daylong meeting, experts delved into critical aspects of commercial bamboo farming. They examined agronomic management practices, pest control protocols, and the crop’s overall profitability. The analysis also covered the plant’s potential social and economic impact in rural areas, the current surface area under cultivation in Panama, and the technical advances achieved in recent years.
Carolina Guerra, president of Conaba, presented the commission’s primary achievements and future goals tied to the crop’s development. She emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the entire bamboo value chain. This focus aims to directly benefit small-scale producers by creating new revenue streams and sustainable economic activities.
Representatives from the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation were also present. They shared key findings from the most recent actuarial study conducted in Panama. That research demonstrates the crop’s financial viability and details the growth behavior of different bamboo species.
The study details the profitability of bamboo and its potential in nutritional, artisanal, agro-industrial, and livestock markets, as seen in other countries in the region, [Translated from Spanish]
an INBAR official explained during the presentation. The data provides a strong, numbers-driven foundation for the proposal.
Field Schools Demonstrate Real-World Success
The technical units also reviewed progress from farmer field schools. These schools, a joint initiative by the Ministry of Agricultural Development and INBAR, operate in communities like Guabal, Oajaca, and Boca de Tucue. Smallholder farmers participating in these programs have already reported positive results in managing and producing the crop. Their on-the-ground experience offers practical proof of concept for wider Bamboo cultivation adoption across the country.
This grassroots success is a powerful part of the argument for formal recognition. It shows that the theoretical benefits of bamboo are already being realized in Panamanian soil. The farmers’ experiences provide invaluable data on what works within the local context.
The push for this agricultural status originated with Anthony Lay, president of the Bamboo Promotion Association of Panama. He formally petitioned the government to include bamboo as a national production category. His association believes official recognition is the critical next step to scaling up the industry. It would allow for better access to financing, technical support, and inclusion in national agricultural policies.
Panama’s government is now meticulously assembling the evidence. The first technical meeting marks a significant, concrete step toward making bamboo a mainstream crop. This bureaucratic process, while complex, could fundamentally alter the agricultural landscape for many rural Panamanians. The next steps involve further review and a final recommendation from the technical committee.