The cane & bamboo crafts occupies important role in the economy of North-East Region and is also one of the largest employment providers in region. The demand for these eco friendly crafts is huge both in the domestic as well as in the international markets. However despite huge production base the products are not sold on form due to lack of dissemination of technology & product development as per the growing consumer preference.

Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India with an objective to fill up the gap in the area of Design and Product Development initiated setting up of Bamboo & Cane Development Institute (BCDI) in 1974. To upgrade BCDI as modern service Centre , the services of NID were obtained to prepare a restructuring plan.