Ministry of DoNER Launches ₹82.5 Crore Bamboo Projects to Build a Competitive Bamboo Value Chain and Strengthen Livelihoods in North East
₹82.5 crore initiatives target livelihoods, green industrialisation, and market integration
Guwahati, 25 January 2026: The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) today launched two major bamboo sector projects with a combined outlay of ₹82.5 crore, marking a significant milestone in transforming bamboo into a modern livelihood and industrial growth engine for the North Eastern Region (NER). The projects are being implemented by the North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council (NECBDC) and were inaugurated by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Hon’ble Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region, at Guwahati.
The launch of these initiatives represents the culmination of nearly 18 months of sustained planning, stakeholder consultations, and inter-institutional coordination led by MDoNER, in close collaboration with the North Eastern Council (NEC) and NECBDC. Driven by the dynamic leadership of the Hon’ble Union Minister, MDoNER, the Ministry undertook extensive groundwork, including value-chain diagnostics, cluster assessments, market studies, and structured consultations with State Governments, artisans, industry stakeholders, and private sector partners.
This deliberate and phased approach has enabled the design of two integrated, scalable, and market-oriented projects that simultaneously strengthen traditional livelihoods and catalyse modern bamboo-based industrial development in the region.
The launch event witnessed wide participation, with over 500 participants attending both physically and virtually, reflecting strong stakeholder interest in the bamboo sector initiatives. In addition to the Hon’ble Union Minister, senior officials from the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, the North Eastern Council, and NECBDC were present, including Shri Angshuman Dey, IFS, Joint Secretary, MDoNER, Shri Som Kamei, IPoS, Planning Adviser, NEC, and heads of key government organisations. The programme was also attended by heads from leading private sector and market partners, including Amazon, Flipkart, and All Time Plastics, along with bamboo artisans, entrepreneurs, SHGs, industry stakeholders, and development practitioners from across the North Eastern Region.
Two MoUs were signed for the first project with Shri Gaurav Bhatnagar- Director of Sales, Amazon India; and Shri Girish Nair- Director, Corporate Affairs & Public Policy, Flipkart; and one MoU was signed for the second project with Shri Kailesh Shah- Chairman & Managing Director, All Time Plastics Ltd. for the two projects, one in Karbi Anglong in Assam and one in Mokokchung in Nagaland.
Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Union Minister said,
Bamboo-our ‘green gold’- has, historically, for thousand years been a very integral part of our lives. It has not been just a resource, but a vital element of our homes, tools, rituals and lives. From our table to our crafts, from farms to our festivals, bamboo has quietly shaped across multiple generations. Today as we partner with Amazon, Flipkart and ATP, we are crafting a shared story, pledging together to take North East and India global.”
The initiatives are designed to strengthen livelihoods, accelerate industrial development, and position bamboo as a key pillar of green and sustainable growth in the region.
The two projects launched today are structured as complementary interventions across the bamboo value chain—from traditional artisans and growers to modern industrial manufacturing and global markets.
This project ‘Strengthening Traditional Bamboo Artisan Clusters’ focuses on revitalising traditional bamboo and cane artisan clusters across all eight North Eastern States. It aims to modernise tools, designs, and production processes; upgrade Common Facility Centres (CFCs); and integrate artisans with digital and organised retail ecosystems.
More than 4,500 artisans are expected to benefit through skill upgradation, improved product quality, and enhanced market access. By organising artisans into clusters and linking them to structured marketplaces, the project seeks to significantly improve incomes while preserving the region’s rich craft heritage.
A key feature of this project is engagement with leading e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart, which will support onboarding of artisan groups, capacity building, catalogue development, and access to pan-India consumer markets. These partnerships bridge the gap between remote artisan communities and organised demand, ensuring sustained and scalable market access.
The second project ‘Promotion of Engineered Bamboo Products ‘ represents a strategic shift towards industrial-scale, value-added bamboo manufacturing. It aims to position bamboo as a sustainable alternative to timber, plastics, and conventional construction materials through the production of engineered bamboo boards, panels, furniture, and composite products.
The initiative will establish advanced processing and manufacturing clusters in Assam and Nagaland, supported by the development of 1,000 hectares of certified bamboo plantations and training of 1,000 youth and artisans in advanced processing techniques. Designed around principles of zero-waste processing, circular economy, and global sustainability compliance, the project aligns with international standards for domestic and export markets.
As part of this initiative, a partnership with All Time Plastics will support product development, industrial applications, market linkages, and sales promotion for engineered bamboo products, enabling commercial scale and access to domestic and international markets.
Speaking on the occasion, M. C. Omi Ningshen, IRS, Managing Director, NECBDC, said,
“These projects mark a decisive transition from fragmented bamboo activities to a structured, market-led ecosystem. By combining traditional skills with modern technology, strong institutional support, and private sector partnerships, we aim to ensure sustainable livelihoods for artisans and youth while positioning the North East as a global player in the bamboo economy.”
Together, the two projects are expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect livelihoods, enhance income security for rural and tribal communities, and establish the North Eastern Region as a national and global hub for sustainable bamboo-based products.
The launch reaffirms the Government of India’s commitment to harnessing the bamboo sector as a catalyst for inclusive growth, green industrialisation, and a Viksit North East aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
