IIT Guwahati inaugurates Tree-Based Enterprise Incubation Centre to develop sustainable enterprises

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati’s (IIT Guwahati) School of Agro and Rural Technology (SART) inaugurated the Tree-Based Enterprise Incubation Center (TBEIC) under the Tree Outside Forests in India (TOFI) initiative today.

The newly-launched center aims to develop sustainable, tree-based enterprises that contribute to India’s environmental, economic, and rural development goals, the institute said.

IIT Guwahati-led TBEIC is designed to develop value chains for various tree crops, and to promote large-scale plantations, and foster innovations in tree-based products and services. “Leveraging IIT Guwahati’s intellectual resources and its strategic location as a gateway to the Southeast Asian market of 800 million people, the center is expected to drive regional and global impact,” the institute added.

Speaking at the event, Steven Olive, US Agency for International Development (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.

IIT Guwahati director Devendra Jalihal 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."

The TBEIC at SART, IIT Guwahati aims at enhancing the technical and business skills of entrepreneurs, and familiarise stakeholders with advanced agroforestry technologies.

It will provide comprehensive support in business planning, financing, marketing, and the setup process for new enterprises, the institute added.

Kaberi Mahanta, senior scientist, AAU-Horticulture research station, Kahikuchi; Dhrubajyoti Sarmah, MD, Daffodil College of Horticulture; M C Sarmah, CGM, Century Plywood Ltd.; Pankaj Barman, state head, among others including the stakeholders representing the government of Assam and IIT Guwahati also participated in the event.

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Objectives of TBEIC

The TBEIC will focus on several technologies to tree-based enterprise development.

• 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.