Bhubaneswar, Mar 22 (KNN) As a collaborative platform to take up research, advocacy and project implementation initiatives in the bamboo sector of the state, an Odisha Bamboo Resource Centre (OBRC) will be set up here soon.

The decision to this regard was taken during the one-day state level workshop organized by Sparsh Foundation of JK Paper in collaboration with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

At this workshop, leading national and regional experts focused on understanding the utility of the bamboo, dissected the opportunities for livelihood promotion and developing a bamboo startup culture and suggested strategies on how best to increase corporate funding into the sector.

Besides, experts deliberated on its future prospects and its associated challenges and bottlenecks.

The OBRC will be a global platform which would learn from global best practices and adopt and customize to Odisha’s local requirements, informed Prof Prafulla Dhal, the General Manager of JK Paper and Head of its Odisha CSR and the organizer of this workshop.

Representatives of industry bodies like World Trade Centre Bhubaneswar and experts from corporate houses like JKPM, Dalmia, Tata Trust participated in the deliberations and stakeholder consultations. (KNN/YV)