Reviving local economies through bamboo: A community-based socio-ecological approach

Bamboo is a strategic biological resource that plays a vital role in rural communities' social, cultural, and economic life. Amidst the global push for sustainable development and green economy initiatives, the economic potential of bamboo as a local commodity in West Papua remains vastly underutilized. This study aims to explore patterns of bamboo utilization among local communities, understand their perceptions of its economic value, analyze its contribution to household income, and examine community expectations for government support and sustainable bamboo conservation efforts. The research adopts a descriptive-quantitative approach complemented by qualitative techniques to enhance data depth. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGDs) with local community members in the study area. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were processed using thematic analysis. Findings reveal that bamboo use is still mainly limited to domestic needs such as construction materials, household tools, and customary purposes. Communities exhibit positive perceptions of bamboo’s economic potential but face limited market access, inadequate training, and lack of financial support. Bamboo’s contribution to household income remains supplementary and relatively low. Nevertheless, there is a strong expectation for active government involvement in training, market facilitation, strengthening local institutions, and promoting community-based bamboo conservation. This study highlights the significant potential of bamboo as a green economic commodity in West Papua, while emphasizing the need for cross-sectoral support and development strategies that are contextual and participatory. It also represents one of the initial studies to specifically map the socio-economic potential of bamboo in West Papua based on the lived experiences and perceptions of local communities.