The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) is collaborating with Amazon and two other companies to promote Bamboo products in both domestic and international markets, according to Secretary Chanchal Kumar. The initiative aims to enhance market access for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the North East by focusing on end-to-end value processing of the plant.
Expanding Opportunities for Bamboo Products
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia highlighted the potential of the North East, which accounts for nearly 38% of India’s Bamboo production. Speaking at a recent roadshow in Chennai, Scindia emphasized the opportunity for the city’s furniture industry to leverage Bamboo as a key raw material.
“We can grow Bamboo, process it, and manufacture furniture for export. Our ministry is working with Amazon and other companies to adopt SHGs in Tripura and Nagaland, starting with value processing of Bamboo,” Scindia stated.
The collaboration will involve product design support to create world-class Bamboo items like furniture and boards. According to Kumar, this will help farmers aggregate their products and reach end users, strengthening the entire value chain.
Focus on Domestic and Export Markets
The ministry plans to initially capture the domestic market before expanding exports to countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand.
“We want to promote Bamboo-based products by ensuring quality and marketing support. Once we establish a strong domestic presence, we will shift focus to neighboring markets,” Kumar explained.
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Unlocking Potential for Chennai’s Furniture Industry
The North East holds the majority of India’s Bamboo resources, presenting significant opportunities for industries across the country. Scindia pointed out that Chennai, with its large furniture-making sector, stands to benefit from this initiative by tapping into Bamboo’s growing supply and versatility.
This partnership aims to create a sustainable economy, empowering local communities and enhancing India’s export capabilities in eco-friendly products.
