Guess What? Emil Salim<\/p>\n
What is the most useful plant in the world?<\/p>\n
\"Bamboo,\" insisted Emil Salim, former minister of
\npopulation and environment.<\/p>\n
All parts of bamboo are beneficial. It can be used for
\nbuilding, thatching roofs and as a cure for asthma.<\/p>\n
Bamboo also plays an important part in various environmental
\nprojects.<\/p>\n
\"Westerners may be surprised to know that Indonesians also eat
\nbamboo,\" laughed Salim, who is currently active in the Bambu
\nLingkungan Lestari Foundation.<\/p>\n
For the Minang (Minangkabau), the dominant ethnic group in
\nWest Sumatra, gulai rebung (bamboo shoot stew) is a delicious
\nmeal. \"As a Minang, I eat rebung daily,\" Salim explained.<\/p>\n
Javanese and Sundanese people also eat rebung regularly, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Salim and the foundation have pledged to promote bamboo as one
\nof Indonesia's commodities. At present, people tend to associate
\nbamboo with low-quality houses and art work. To improve bamboo's
\nimage, Salim plans to organize an international bamboo congress
\nin Bali next June.<\/p>\n
\"Bamboo is planted mostly by villagers. So far, big business
\nhas not shown any interest in developing bamboo plantations.
\nTherefore, our efforts will benefit the poor,\" Salim pointed out.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's main problem is a lack of experts who can invent
\nuses and improve quality.<\/p>\n
\"I fully understand that the bamboo business is considered
\nunprofitable. It's just the same as no one wanting to be a
\njournalist at present,\" Salim smiled sourly. (raw)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/guess-what-emil-salim-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}