**Executive Summary**
This document outlines government initiatives to strengthen agro-forestry and bamboo-based economic clusters in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India. It details the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY) and the Assam State Bamboo Mission (ASBM), along with other projects funded by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) to support these sectors. The information was presented in the Lok Sabha on February 4, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Government Support for Agro-forestry and Bamboo:**
* State Governments mainly undertake promotions of agro-forestry and bamboo sectors
* The Government of India, through multiple ministries, supplements state efforts by providing support to specific projects.
* **Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY):**
* Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented since 2023-24 to promote agroforestry.
* Focuses on establishing and strengthening nurseries and supplying quality planting material.
* Implemented by States/UTs across the country, including the NER.
* Assam has received assistance for nursery creation, training, and free sapling distribution.
* Operates through Annual Action Plans submitted by States/UTs.
* In Assam, Rs. 4.50 crore was allocated during 2023-24 to 2024-25, and Rs. 5.20 crore has been released in FY 2025-26 so far.
* In Assam, 35 new nurseries were established from 2023-2025, with 51 additional ones established in FY 2025-26.
* **Assam State Bamboo Mission (ASBM):**
* Implemented extensive bamboo plantation initiatives, particularly in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts, covering approximately 1,585 hectares from 2019 to 2026.
* Established nurseries, conducted awareness programs, and trained around 300 farmers.
* Supported a Bamboo Incense Stick Making Cluster with financial backing.
* Achievements include planting 6 lakh saplings, distributing high-yielding bamboo varieties, training over 400 participants, and distributing 1,022 toolkits.
* Processed bamboo products were incorporated into the Assam PWD Schedule of Rates.
* **Ministry of DoNER Initiatives:**
* Sanctioned two projects for strengthening traditional bamboo artisan clusters.
* Focuses on market access, product modernization, integration with digital/retail ecosystems, and engineered bamboo products.
* Covers Karbi Anglong (Assam) and Mokokchung (Nagaland).
* **NECBDC Partnerships:**
* Signed MoUs with leading e-commerce partners.
* Aims to enable bamboo products from the North East to reach national and international markets.
* **Financial Support:**
* Over the last ten years, 42 projects related to the agroforestry and bamboo sector worth Rs. 230.31 crore have been supported under NEC Schemes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Farmers**
* **Impact:** Increased access to quality planting materials (seeds, seedlings, clones, hybrids), training, and new nurseries. Income diversification and livelihood support through tree-based farming and bamboo agroforestry. Opportunities to earn short-term returns through intercrops with tree plantations.
* **Action Required:** Participate in training programs, adopt improved farming practices, and utilize available resources for agroforestry and bamboo cultivation.
**Stakeholder: Artisans**
* **Impact:** Enhanced market access, product modernization, integration with digital/retail ecosystems, and skills development in advanced technologies. Increased employment opportunities through bamboo artisan clusters.
* **Action Required:** Engage in skill development training, adopt modern techniques, and leverage market access opportunities.
**Stakeholder: State Governments (NER)**
* **Impact:** Enhanced support for agro-forestry and bamboo sector development through central schemes and initiatives. Increased opportunities for income generation and livelihood improvement in the region.
* **Action Required:** Submit Annual Action Plans, implement schemes effectively, and promote participation from farmers and artisans.
**Stakeholder: E-commerce Partners**
* **Impact:** Expansion of product offerings to include North East Bamboo products.
* **Action Required:** Facilitate marketing and distribution of bamboo products on national and international markets.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER): Supplements state efforts in agro-forestry and bamboo sectors in the North Eastern Region.
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PMRKVY): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme to promote agroforestry, focusing on nurseries and Quality Planting Material.
Assam State Bamboo Mission (ASBM): Implemented bamboo plantation initiatives in Assam, including nurseries and awareness programs.
Karbi Anglong, Assam: District in Assam where agro-forestry and bamboo initiatives are focused.
Mokokchung, Nagaland: District in Nagaland where bamboo-based economic clusters are strengthened.
Ministry of Development of North-East Region
Strengthen Agro-forestry and Bamboo based
Economic Clusters in NER
Posted On: 04 FEB 2026 2:24PM by PIB Delhi
Promotions of agro-forestry and bamboo sectors are mainly undertaken by State Governments. However,
Government of India through Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) also
supplements the efforts of the States by providing support to specific projects in these sectors.
As per Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, to promote agroforestry, the Government has been
implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana
(PMRKVY) since 2023-24. The scheme focuses on establishing and strengthening nurseries and
supplying Quality Planting Material including seeds, seedlings, clones, hybrids, and improved varieties to
farmers for increasing tree cover on farmlands. It is implemented by States/UTs across the country,
including those in the North Eastern Region. In Assam, assistance has been provided for nursery creation,
training, and free sapling distribution including those in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.
The scheme operates through Annual Action Plans submitted by States/UTs and supports activities such as
nurseries and agroforestry demonstration plots. Assam was allocated Rs. 4.50 crore during 2023-24 to
2024-25, of which Rs. 4.09 crore was released, leading to establishment of 35 new nurseries. In FY 2025-
26 so far, Rs. 5.20 crore has been released, and 51 new nurseries have been established.
Since its launch in 2023-24, PMRKVY-Agroforestry in Assam is now in its third year. Preliminary
findings show contributions to income diversification and livelihood support through tree-based farming
systems, including bamboo agroforestry. Emphasis is placed on promoting intercrops with tree plantations,
enabling farmers to earn short-term returns during the gestation period of tree crops, thereby improving
economic viability and reducing risk.
Further, the Assam State Bamboo Mission (ASBM) has also implemented extensive bamboo plantation
initiatives, especially in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts, covering approximately 1,585 hectare
from 2019 to 2026. They have established nurseries, conducted awareness programs, and trained around
300 farmers in scientific bamboo cultivation. A study showed substantial bamboo resources in both
districts, facilitating cluster development planning. The mission has engaged in enterprise development
through events like the Assam Bamboo Conclave and has supported a Bamboo Incense Stick Making
Cluster with significant financial backing. Economic impacts include planting of 6 lakh saplings and
distribution of high-yielding varieties of bamboo, creating livelihood opportunities. Skill development
trainings have benefited over 400 participants. Additionally, 1,022 toolkits were distributed, and processed
bamboo products were incorporated into the Assam PWD Schedule of Rates, enhancing market
accessibility and employment for bamboo artisans.
To harness bamboo-based economic clusters in NER, the Ministry of DoNER has recently sanctioned two
projects for strengthening traditional bamboo artisan clusters through market access, product
modernization, and integration with digital/retail ecosystems as well as promotion of engineered bambooproducts through cluster strengthening and export facilitation, covering Karbi Anglong (Assam) and
Mokokchung (Nagaland). It includes state-of-the-art processing units, certified bamboo plantations, and
training for youth and artisans in advanced technologies.
NECBDC has signed MoUs with leading e-Commerce partners to enable bamboo products from the North
East reach national and international markets to position North East Bamboo product on the global stage.
Over the last ten years, under NEC Schemes, 42 projects related to the agroforestry and bamboo sector
worth Rs. 230.31 crore have been supported.
This information was given by the Minister of State of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
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