In December 2008, Prosperity Initiative's Impact and Performance Team began working with the Provincial Statistics Office (PSO) in Cao Bang, Viet Nam, to prepare for a baseline survey on the bamboo industry's impact on household income. Cao Bang, a poor and mountainous province in northeast Viet Nam that borders China, has a small bamboo industry which until recently was dominated by a single state-owned enterprise. Last summer, through cooperation with Prosperity Initiative, the Cao Bang provincial government lifted a ban that had been imposed on the export of raw bamboo from the province. This move has helped increased the bamboo price to the benefit of farmers.

The baseline survey will involve interviews with bamboo farmers, collectors and traders. Similar to the 2007 Impact Assessment in Thanh Hoa, the survey aims to help understand potential links between poverty reduction and the bamboo industry in Cao Bang in addition to understanding cropping and bamboo marketing systems in the province.

The Team, led by Prosperity Initiative's Lead Economist, Dr. Bob Baulch, has completed pre-testing and training for two teams of interviewers. Provided funding is secured, the baseline survey is expected to take place in May 2009 and will inform Prosperity Initiative's programmes and future activities in Cao Bang.