Podcast 🎧 Thomas from Bamboo Uganda, Bamboo Entrepreneur

🎋 ThinkBamboo PodCast : Se.1, Ep.8 -- Thomas Quirynen from Bamboo-Uganda 🇺🇬
https://www.thinkbamboo.org/2023/04/30/exploring-the-challenges-and-opportunities-in-ugandas-bamboo-industry/

Thomas Quirynen started Bamboo Uganda with others to push the bamboo value chain in Uganda. They identified a gap in the processing facility.

[00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=5) Bamboo Uganda is a social business focused on pushing the bamboo value chain in Uganda.
[04:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=299) Umbrella organization overseeing multiple bamboo-related businesses
[09:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=556) Maximizing environmental and social impact through agroforestry model
[13:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=799) Bamboo is a renewable and viable solution to tackle carbon credits.
[17:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=1066) A traceability platform for bamboo can be used to track carbon footprint and potential product output.
[21:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=1302) Composite materials and bamboo have great potential, but transparency in production and use is important.
[25:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=1542) Using biochar in collaboration with a fertilizer company is a good approach for farming.
[29:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=1797) Bamboo Uganda is investigating larger lodges and constructing a bamboo Cosmo Golem sculpture

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Detailed Summary for [#8th ThinkBamboo Podcast - Thomas from Bamboo-Uganda](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk) by [Merlin](https://merlin.foyer.work/)

[00:05](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=5) Bamboo Uganda is a social business focused on pushing the bamboo value chain in Uganda.
- - The organization was founded two years ago by a group of bamboo enthusiasts looking to fill a gap in the bamboo processing industry in Uganda.
- - The main challenge was the lack of access to bamboo, which they solved by identifying existing plantations and starting a small processing facility to experiment with making quality products.

[04:59](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=299) Umbrella organization overseeing multiple bamboo-related businesses
- Three and a half companies under the organization: Plantation, Plantation Services, Nursery, Processing Facility, and Construction
- Setting up a carbon credit component and exploring agroforestry model
- Challenges with enabling value chain in bamboo industry
- Uganda has potential for bamboo plantations with available land and government support

[09:16](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=556) Maximizing environmental and social impact through agroforestry model
- Working on a Niagara Forestry model where coffee and bamboo grow well together
- Need to train farmers for proper plantation management and inputs to make it economically viable

[13:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=799) Bamboo is a renewable and viable solution to tackle carbon credits.
- Carbon credit approach is trending but not viable economically.
- Current carbon credit system is complicated and lacks transparency.

[17:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=1066) A traceability platform for bamboo can be used to track carbon footprint and potential product output.
- The tax system is used as an independent verifier to ensure accuracy.
- The platform can be used as a marketplace for buyers and sellers of bamboo products.
- Carbon loss along the process is also tracked for transparency.
- Bamboo can be used for long-term storage products, such as biochar.

[21:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=1302) Composite materials and bamboo have great potential, but transparency in production and use is important.
- Research is being done on producing structural bamboo with green glues and heat treatment.
- Transparency is necessary for making educated choices about bamboo production and transport.
- The renewable energy and biochar usage in bamboo production is still in its initial stages.

[25:42](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=1542) Using biochar in collaboration with a fertilizer company is a good approach for farming.
- Biochar is a sponge that retains the nutrients in the water, but it also has a very high pH value.
- The use of biochar depends on the type of crops and should not be used on seedlings.
- Bamboo Uganda is focusing on the local market and collaborating with a Dutch architectural firm for bamboo construction.
- There is interest in bamboo construction in Uganda, and it has been integrated into some schools.

[29:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdAgExtFIEk&t=1797) Bamboo Uganda is investigating larger lodges and constructing a bamboo Cosmo Golem sculpture
- Denver Colombus asper is the bamboo species being used
- Asper is stronger in Africa than it is in Asia