Bamboo Breakthrough: India's First FSC Certification Boosts Women Farmers

Industree Foundation achieves India's first FSC Forest Management Certification for bamboo plantations managed by smallholder farmers. Covering over 1,000 hectares, this milestone empowers women farmers with global market access, enabling sustainable livelihoods. The inclusive certification process sets a new benchmark, positioning these farmers within ethical, traceable global supply chains.

Industree Foundation has made history by becoming the first organization in India to secure the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Forest Management Certification for bamboo plantations managed by smallholder farmers. This significant achievement encompasses 6,671 women farmers across 1,112.9 hectares in Karnataka, offering these smallholders unprecedented access to global markets.

The certification, awarded by SCS Global Services, stands apart due to its inclusive approach. While FSC certifications are usually granted to large, consolidated estates, this initiative supports fragmented smallholder plots, primarily managed by women. It required innovative technical solutions and substantial institutional groundwork to bring these farmers under a single certification framework, paving the way for a new community-level forest certification standard.

Bamboo cultivation has provided a vital turning point for these women, who face challenges from climate change and economic insecurity. The group certification model not only grants them market access but also validates their farming practices as sustainable and legally compliant. As Industree CEO Neju George Abraham notes, this certification symbolizes a transformative step for smallholder farmers across India, showcasing the potential of small-scale agriculture within global supply chains.