Agroforestry and bamboo sector development in the North Eastern Region continues to be led by state governments, with additional support from the Union government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
According to information provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the Centre has been implementing a centrally sponsored agroforestry scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana since 2023-24. The scheme focuses on establishing and strengthening nurseries and supplying quality planting material such as seeds, seedlings, clones, hybrids, and improved varieties to farmers to increase tree cover on farmlands. It is implemented through annual action plans submitted by states and Union Territories, including those in the North East.
In Assam, support under the scheme has been extended for nursery creation, training, and free sapling distribution, particularly in Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts. The state was allocated Rs. 4.50 crore during 2023-24 and 2024-25, of which Rs. 4.09 crore was released, leading to the establishment of 35 new nurseries. In the current financial year 2025-26, Rs. 5.20 crore has been released so far, resulting in the establishment of 51 additional nurseries. Preliminary findings indicate that the initiative has contributed to income diversification and livelihood support through tree based farming systems, including bamboo agroforestry, with an emphasis on intercropping for short term returns.
In parallel, the Assam State Bamboo Mission has implemented large scale bamboo plantation initiatives covering about 1,585 hectares between 2019 and 2026. The mission has trained around 300 farmers, established nurseries, promoted enterprise development, and supported bamboo based livelihood activities.
Significantly for Nagaland, the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region has recently sanctioned two projects to strengthen bamboo based economic clusters in the region. One of these projects covers Mokokchung district in Nagaland and focuses on strengthening traditional bamboo artisan clusters through improved market access, product modernization, and integration with digital and retail ecosystems. The other project covers Karbi Anglong district in Assam. The projects also include state of the art processing units, certified bamboo plantations, and advanced skill training for youth and artisans.
The North East Cane and Bamboo Development Council has also signed agreements with leading e commerce platforms to enable bamboo products from the region to reach national and international markets. Over the last decade, 42 agroforestry and bamboo related projects worth Rs. 230.31 crore have been supported under NEC schemes.
This information was shared by Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region Dr Sukanta Majumdar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
MT