Initative on the Forest Economy

Our Vision

The Initiative on the Forest Economy (IoFE) is a longitudinal program that aims to produce evidence for replicable models of large-scale development and economic well-being driven by forest-centric value chains. The bedrock of our model is built on sustainability, scalability, and technology to synergize public policy goals, statutory provisions, multi-stakeholder engagement, and market opportunities in India’s forested landscapes.

Sustainability is crucial for establishing an ethical, transparent, and accountable framework that ensures the long-term viability of forests and livelihoods while protecting against resource depletion and market volatility. Responsible scaling is key to unlocking the potential and returns on investment in forest-based Seasonal Forest Products, ensuring benefits, greater bargaining power, and fair prices for primary producers, while upholding social and environmental justice. Technologies like AI, machine learning, IoT, blockchain, and smart contracts are essential for creating a transparent digital ecosystem among communities, governments, and businesses. They build trust, maximize resource use, and mitigate environmental risks.

We are a bunch of change makers!

IoFE leverages sustainability, scalability, and technology to create a paradigm shift by empowering communities with the tools to manage their forest resources sustainably.