IIT Guwahati, HDFC Parivartan power sustainable rural growth in Northeast with tech-driven solutions

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 17, 2025

IIT Guwahati, in partnership with HDFC Bank’s CSR arm, HDFC Parivartan, is rolling out three key technology-based interventions across Assam and Meghalaya to strengthen food and energy security, increase farmer incomes, and drive sustainable rural development.

Under the initiative titled “Focused Development Program: Enhancing Agriculture & Residue-Based Enterprises via Community Organizations,” the program targets rural transformation through practical technologies and grassroots empowerment—especially among farmers and women.

One of the three core projects is Biomass Pellet Production, Meghalaya, established in Umnowe village, Ri Bhoi district. IIT Guwahati and the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) have set up a unit to convert agricultural and other local biomass into eco-friendly pellets. These pellets replace firewood and coal, helping cut carbon emissions and generate new income streams from agricultural waste.

Due to fragmented landholdings and poor infrastructure, such pellet units are hard to operate individually in Meghalaya. This pilot aims to serve as a scalable, replicable model for future biofuel projects across the region.

Another project under the initiative is Agrivoltaics and Tea Processing in Assam in Hailakandi district, where a 50-kilowatt solar plant is used not just for clean energy, but also to grow medicinal herbs in its shade—an example of agrivoltaics, or dual land use.

Alongside, a solar-powered tea blending and processing facility, run by a 1,000+ member Farmers Producer Company (FPC), supports the herbal beverage industry, improving local livelihoods and promoting value-added processing.

The third project under this initiative is Freeze Drying and Herbal Processing in Assam. A new facility at IIT Guwahati uses freeze-drying tech to process fruits, herbs, and farm produce. This boosts shelf life and market value—ideal for exports.

The initiative also promotes Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and cooperatives to develop and scale community-led agribusinesses in both states, benefiting over 300 farmers.

The broader effort includes farmer training workshops and technical exposure visits. So far, 500 beneficiaries in Assam and Meghalaya have been trained on best practices in biomass collection, freeze-drying, and value-added production.

A three-day hands-on visit for 40 farmers from Hailakandi—supported by the Assam Energy Development Agency (AEDA)—provided real-world exposure to sustainable tech at IIT Guwahati and other aquavoltaic sites in Kamrup and Nagaon.

Dr. Siddhartha Singha, Project Coordinator at IIT Guwahati, says these projects align with UN Sustainable Development Goals such as zero hunger, clean energy, decent work, and sustainable economic growth.

Vikash Kumar, Assistant Vice President at HDFC Bank, called the initiative a “first-of-its-kind innovation for Northeast India” and a blueprint for replicable, sustainable development.

Prof. Sudip Mitra, Head of the School of Agro and Rural Technology, IIT Guwahati, added, “Efforts like these can ensure long-term environmental, economic, and social sustainability in the region.”

Backed by HDFC Parivartan and rooted in grassroots participation, this collaborative model turns rural innovation into real-world impact.