Rooted in Tradition, Growing Towards Empowerment
Our Story
Bamboo has long been a symbol of resilience, positivity, and strength—qualities that resonate deeply with humanity’s journey. This remarkable plant, revered for its 1500+ documented uses, has the potential to transform lives and communities, as envisioned by our visionary former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
In 2004, at the seventh World Bamboo Congress in New Delhi, he foresaw bamboo’s incredible economic value, predicting its ability to lift millions out of poverty and contribute significantly to India’s economy. His words planted the seeds of a movement that would take shape years later.
In 2014, another visionary leader, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, reignited the call for atmanirbharta (self-reliance). Meanwhile, our mentor organization, Keshav Srushti, was tirelessly working on rural development through initiatives like solar-powered irrigation under the Keshav Srushti Gram Vikas Yojana (KSGVY).
By 2017, KSGVY turned PM Vajpayee’s prophetic vision into action with Project Green Gold. This initiative trained underprivileged tribal women from five villages in Wada taluka in the art of bamboo handicrafts, offering them a sustainable livelihood beyond farming. After three years of rigorous development, the community launched its first product—the bamboo rakhi.
This newfound empowerment bore fruit even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Villages in Palghar district delivered over 50,000 bamboo rakhis in 2020 and over 8,000 bamboo lanterns (kandeels) in subsequent years. The product range expanded to 100+ creations, spanning festive, devotional, home, lifestyle, and gifting categories. A milestone came when the community successfully fulfilled an international order of 500 bamboo auto rickshaws for the UK, showcasing their design capabilities.
In 2023, on Gudi Padwa, the Vikramgad Bamboo Udyog Producer Company Limited was formally registered—India’s first tribal women-led rural agri-startup. Shortly after, Bamboo First was launched, introducing the world to our unique e-commerce platform of bamboo products crafted with care and purpose.
Today, Bamboo First stands as a testament to the strength of community, the power of sustainability, and the spirit of tribal women who are building a self-reliant future. Through every product we create, we celebrate a journey rooted in tradition and growing towards empowerment.
OUR VISION
Our vision is the empowerment of our tribal community across the nation by embarking on the path of atmanirbharta.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to provide highly useful bamboo products with human centric designs aligned to the daily lives of our customers.
Our Values
LOVE AND COMPASSION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
वृक्षवल्ली आम्हा सोयरी वनचरे, पक्षीही सुस्वरे। आळविती।। These words of great Sant Tukaram Maharaj will always evoke our love and compassion for trees and other living beings.
EMPOWERMENT FOR ALL
In our mission of atmanirbharta, we aspire and work towards self-reliance of everyone in our community.
CUSTOMER ABOVE EVERYONE ELSE
Our customers are living gods and in their well being lies our welfare. We strive to provide them the best quality products that offer them the most optimum lifetime value for money they pay.
Our Team
We are a team of proud Indians with roots in the tribal traditions of the Dongri-Vikramgad region of Palghar district in the state of Maharashtra (India). Our team comprises 600+ artisans from over 25 villages of the Palghar district founded with investments of 300+ individuals from the tribal community, 90% of which are women.
We are thankful to our mentors Keshav Srushti for cultivating leadership from within our community that is empowered to lead The Vikramgad Bamboo Udyog Producer Co. Ltd. today.
We thank our finance mentors NABARD that have facilitated the formation of our OFPO, The Vikramgad Bamboo Udyog Co. Ltd. and backed us with funding for our operations.
Meet the team that leads our aspirations of Atmanirbharta in the Amritkaal of democracy.
OUR 5 YEAR JOURNEY
In just five years, Bamboo First has grown from a simple vision of sustainability to a thriving movement redefining eco-conscious living. With innovative bamboo products, from toothbrushes to home decor, we've inspired greener choices while partnering with local farmers, supporting reforestation, and raising awareness about bamboo's environmental benefits.
This journey, fueled by our amazing customers and partners, has proven that sustainability is more than a trend—it's a path to a better future. As we celebrate this milestone, we thank you for being part of our story and look forward to shaping greener horizons together.