Bamboo Value Chain
Industree Foundation works in the Bamboo value from seed to market with smallholder farmers and producers across the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra. This work will extend with over 14 states in partnership with National and State Rural Livelihood mission. Bamboo is a remarkable material that sequesters upto four times more carbon and produces 35% more oxygen. Once planted, it can be harvested from the 4th year for upto 40 years and above.
Unique to this plant is its ability to grow in uncultivable, degraded and fallow lands, thus playing a critical role in mitigating climate change effects. As a fast-growing and high-yielding renewable resource, bamboo offers better revenue returns and the environmental impact. This value chain links smallerholder farmers and producers to markets, enabling improved incomes leading to economic resillence.
Working with over 6,000 farmers in 6 districts of Karnataka and Maharashtra, spread over 8 agroclimatic zones, Industree has shaped the bamboo plantation model suitable to the needs of smallholder farmers, specifically women from marginalized communities. Currently, many global & national brands do not source bamboo from India as we lack the capabilities to provide certified Bamboo. Industree is working to secure certified Bamboo via the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), thus derisking the supply chain while making it traceable and transparent.
A Bamboo nursery with over 2L sapplings across 16 species are germinated from seeds is operation in Nasik, Maharastra to support this work. This bamboo-based livelihood model addresses the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, who constitute 86% of India's farming community and own fragmented and degrading lands. The plantation model is tailored for such farmers, especially women, who can cultivate bamboo in ⅓ of an acre. In addition to technical support on species, planting material, and agroecological and agroclimatic conditions, the model integrates the women farmers into collectives, with plantation certification, carbon credit accreditation, and connection to markets. This market-driven agroforestry model has the potential to ensure smallholder women farmers earn regular and increased incomes over 40 years, marking a vital shift from the current agri-based livelihood models.
7
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
1400 & 2000
Impact - Women producers & Farmers impacted
11
Enterprises
200+
Products
1,24,000+
Saplings planted
140
Enterprise women trained and linked to value chains
Sal Value Chain
The Biodegradable leaf plate chain converts forest leaves into disposable plates and bowls, providing a steady and reliable income for women from marginalized, rural, and tribal communities located in Odisha. Sal leaves are gathered in the Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP)/biodegradable leaf-plate value chain, which has empowered women in the rural hinterlands and forestry landscape by connecting them to local and national supply chains for biodegradable leaf products. Its sustainability efforts are committed to good for the planet, business, and communities.
For the utilization of sal leaves, the enterprise does not harvest sal leaves from the sal tree but utilizes the fallen leaves from the tree, which is forest litter. Women here are taught skillful ways of sourcing and manufacturing products, thus saving a lot of carbon footprint. The sal plates and bowls, for example, which are made by the tribal women of Odisha, aim to replace plastic. The eco-friendly, biodegradable tableware is then dispatched to buyers in the local and national markets to be used at community gatherings such as weddings or restaurants. The leaves of Sal are not only sustainable but also produce livelihood impacts and benefit both the planet and society.
3600
Impact - Women producers
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9
Enterprises
90+
Products
27
Mutual Benefit Trust Leaders (MBTL)
360
Leadership -Micro Enterprise Leader (MEL)
Banana Value Chain
The banana value chain transforms banana bark, which is often burned, into valuable products. This process creates jobs for rural and marginalized women in Tamil Nadu and provides additional income for smallholder women farmers. Industree is working across Banana value chain in Tamil Nadu to create an ecosystem that will support women producers and enterprises by connecting them with national and international markets. The banana value chain transforms banana bark, which is often burned, into valuable products. This process creates jobs for rural and marginalized women in Tamil Nadu and provides additional income for smallholder women farmers.
The work with banana farmers and agri-laborers is an important aspect as it optimizes backward integration, connecting the sourcing of raw materials to ropemaking and basket-making units, completing the end-to-end value chain. Our women producers are aligned to make the handcrafted home décor, fashion, and storage products. The value chain has collectivized nearly 4000 women producers and farmers in Tamil Nadu who together own the end-to-end banana value chain.
4000
Impact - Women producers
16
Enterprises
350+
Products
48
Mutual Benefit Trust Leaders (MBTL)
320
Leadership -Micro Enterprise Leader (MEL)