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Announcement
Announcement
A financial feasibility study of sugarcane bagasse-based paper pulp production as a livelihood model for self-help groups in Bihar

Student name: Mr Archishmaan Saxena
Guide: Dr Kavita
Year of completion: 2025
Host Organisation: Grant Thornton Bharat LLP, Delhi
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Bhavika Sheokand
Abstract:

The study explores the viability of sugarcane bagasse as a sustainable raw material for paper production in Bihar, India- an agrarian state with both high sugarcane output and significant rural unemployment. Leveraging Geographic Information System (GIS) tools, specifically ArcGIS, along with government agricultural datasets, the research identifies key high-yield districts such as West Champaran, East Champaran, Gopalganj and Samastipur as prime locations for agro-industrial development. A financial model rooted in the Build-Operate-Partner (BOP) framework evaluates the feasibility of a startup converting bagasse into paper, incorporating core financial metrics, The analysis includes a five-year growth forecast using statistical modeling to demonstrate economic scalability and long-term viability.

Beyond financial considerations, the study positions bagasse as an environmentally superior alternative to wood pulp, promoting circular economy principles and reducing deforestation. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for government and public-private partnerships, advocating for targeted incentives and grant-based support to catalyze sustainable industrialization. By intersecting geospatial analysis, financial modeling, and environmental sustainability, this research offers a strategic blueprint for green industrial growth and rural employment generation in Bihar.