The bamboo tree grows faster than other trees and has lots of uses that can generate income.
Vihiga Environment chief officer Richard Boiyo said the owner can harvest it twice in a year.
In comparison, a normal tree takes four to five years to mature, by which time the bamboo will have been harvested more than six times.
The owner can sell them to farmers to serve as animal feeds. The bamboo also helps in soil erosion.
Boiyo said they are also used in water-catchment areas to protect streams from drying up.
He said the bamboo plant can be used in house building, fencing and in making seats, beds and other handicrafts.
Oware said the price of bamboo seedlings changes with the clients you are handling.
Some clients buy them in large volumes since for them to plant is slightly cheaper than those who buy in piecemeal.
"Others buys in large volumes for them to sell in other areas. We also consider them in pricing," he said.
He said for those targeting other markets, they are given at Sh5 each.
Boiyo said accessing bamboo seedlings is too expensive, so they are coming up with cuttings to improvise them.
"We can't manage seedlings but when we use cuttings, we shall be able to issue them to locals at a cheaper price," he said.
Boiyo said the county has already planted over 8,000 bamboo seedlings as a way of preserving the environment.
