IIT Guwahati's Tree-Based Enterprise Centre Set to Revolutionise Agroforestry and Rural Economies

IIT Guwahati has inaugurated the Tree-Based Enterprise Incubation Center (TBEIC) focusing on advancing key technologies essential for the development of tree-based enterprises.

IIT Guwahati's Tree-Based Enterprise Centre

The School of Agro and Rural Technology (SART) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati launched the Tree-Based Enterprise Incubation Center (TBEIC) as part of the Tree Outside Forests in India (TOFI) initiative. This groundbreaking centre is dedicated to promoting sustainable tree-based enterprises that support India's environmental, economic, and rural development objectives.

Tree-Based Enterprise Incubation Center (TBEIC)

The TBEIC is designed to create value chains for diverse tree crops, encourage large-scale plantations, and stimulate innovation in tree-based products and services. By harnessing IIT Guwahati’s intellectual resources and its strategic location as a gateway to the Southeast Asian market of 800 million people, the centre aims to generate both regional and global impact.

The TBEIC objectives include enhancing the technical and business skills of entrepreneurs, introducing stakeholders to cutting-edge agroforestry technologies, offering comprehensive assistance in business planning, financing, and marketing, and reducing the risks associated with launching new enterprises. The TBEIC will focus on a range of technologies critical to tree-based enterprise development, including:

• Wood and bamboo-based composites and furniture manufacturing
• Bamboo-based cosmetic products and natural dye manufacturing
• Agarwood processing, medicinal herbal foods, and other herbal products
• Biomass palletisation, latex tapping, and rubber intermediate production
• Modern plantation technology and carbon credit enabling technology
• Fresh and freeze-dried fruits and other agroforestry innovations

Speaking at the inauguration event, Dr. Steven Olive, USAID Mission Director-India, said, “IIT Guwahati is a wonderful place to study and innovate. What is exciting is how new startups, empowered by emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, are shaping the future. They are bridging the gap between old and new, creating opportunities that will benefit both India and the world. At USAID, we are thrilled to be partnering with IIT Guwahati, Assam, and the TOFI team to catalyse these innovations, helping bring transformative technologies to farmers and communities."

Speaking about IIT Guwahati’s role in fostering innovation and sustainable development, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, "As the premier institution in the Northeast, IIT Guwahati is dedicated to driving innovation and sustainable growth in the region. Through collaborative efforts with organisations like USAID and local communities, we aim to empower agro-based ventures and promote eco-friendly, resource-efficient solutions. Our goal is to leverage the region’s rich ecological and cultural assets to create impactful, long-term change."

Speaking at the event, Dr. Ramesh C., Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Manas National Park, Government of Assam, said, "This project holds immense potential for the future. The technology and expertise from IIT Guwahati can help us identify sustainable alternatives to firewood, ensuring that trees grown outside forests can benefit communities without depleting our natural resources. By promoting tree cultivation and processing in rural areas, we can empower local communities while protecting the environment."

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