Agroforestry Business Incubator—an innovative institution for leveraging technology-based business opportunities in forestry

Abstract

Agroforestry is gaining significant attention and attraction not only as a land use system but also as a potential and viable business opportunity. Considering the growing importance of agroforestry and increasing demand for value-added wood and non-wood products, the Forest College and Research Institute (FC&RI) of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu has established India’s first Agroforestry Business Incubator and has been incorporated as a Sect. 8 company. The primary objective of this unique incubator is to leverage forestry and agroforestry technologies into business enterprises with main focus of inspiring sustainable economic development through start-ups and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The mandate of this incubator is to create business opportunities for wide range of stakeholders namely students, farmers, unemployed youth, members of self-help groups, start-ups, and other MSMEs with the support of line departments. Since its inception in 2018, the incubator has nurtured 68 incubatees and has leveraged technology-based agroforestry business establishments. Mini-clonal technology, briquetting technology, value addition through wood antiques, wood seasoning and preservation technology, burlap** technology, multifunctional agroforestry technology, production of activated carbon, cocoon crafting, and fatty oil and aromatic oil processing, Biofuel technology, etc., were prioritized among others, and new business establishments have been created. Various facilities and services offered through the incubator have resulted in increased revenue generation to the tune of 3.0–5.0 lakhs per year and increased employment generation of nearly 2500 man days per annum for the incubatees. This manuscript is intended for the stakeholders involved in the supply and value chain of agroforestry.