Skip to content
Technical Kisanखेती, तकनीक के साथ
ENहिं
BambooAll seasonsVegetatively propagated speciesUpdated 6 September 2026

Dendrocalamus hamiltonii (Kako bans)

A large hill bamboo of the North-East and sub-Himalayan belt with long internodes, used for construction, baskets, mats and paper. Its tender shoots are widely eaten fresh and fermented in the region. Takes cold better than most bamboos.

SeasonAll seasons
Maturity periodFirst cut year 4–5
Expected yieldHigh in its high-rainfall home range
Suitable soilLoam

Quick facts

Crop
Bamboo
Type
Vegetatively propagated species
Season
All seasons
Maturity period
First cut year 4–5
Expected yield
High in its high-rainfall home range
Suitable soil
Loam
Release
A native North-East Indian species and National Bamboo Mission species; no bred cultivar

About this variety

Dendrocalamus hamiltonii (Kako bans, Pao) is a large, loosely clumping bamboo of the North-East and sub-Himalayan hills, listed among the National Bamboo Mission species and one of the region's most-used bamboos. Its culms reach 12–18 m with long internodes and moderately thin walls, working well for house construction, matting, baskets and paper pulp. The soft, sweetish young shoots are a staple regional food, eaten fresh and, more famously, fermented. It suits high-rainfall hill conditions and tolerates cold better than lowland species, but its thin-walled culms are prone to splitting if seasoned too quickly.

Key characteristics

    Plant typeVegetatively propagated species
    MaturityFirst cut year 4–5
    Yield potentialHigh in its high-rainfall home range
    Disease resistanceHardy in the hills; thin-walled culms split if dried too fast
    SoilLoam
    SeasonAll seasons

Yield & maturity

Maturity period

First cut year 4–5

Expected yield

High in its high-rainfall home range

Actual yield depends on sowing time, soil, irrigation, weather, seed quality and crop management.

Pest & disease considerations

Major diseases

  • Hardy in the hills; thin-walled culms split if dried too fast

Advantages & considerations

Why farmers may choose it

  • Long, workable internodes ideal for matting, baskets and house construction
  • Sweet, tender shoots — a major food product, eaten fresh and fermented
  • More cold-tolerant than most cultivated bamboos, suiting the hills

Things to consider

  • Thin-walled culms split if seasoned too fast — they need slow, shaded drying
  • Best suited to high-rainfall hill sites; less productive in the dry plains

Suitable regions

States this variety is recommended for — check locally, since a state can have more than one recommended zone.

  • Assam
  • Arunachal Pradesh
  • Meghalaya
  • Sikkim
  • West Bengal
  • Nagaland