The Indian Government recently initiated a new endeavor known as the “Van Dhan Internship Programme”. This programme, organised by TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, aims to improve the living conditions of the tribal population. By encouraging self-reliance, enhancing marketing strategies and establishing fair pricing for Minor Forest Products (MFPs), the program seeks to foster sustainable development among tribal communities.
The Van Dhan Internship Programme: An Overview
The “Van Dhan Internship Programme” has begun with the participation of 18 interns, referred to as the Minister’s interns, chosen from some of the country’s most prominent institutions specialising in rural management, social work, and social services. These individuals have been tasked with refining the outputs of the Van Dhan initiative to ensure the self-sufficiency of tribal populations.
These interns will bolster TRIFED activities on different fronts such as livelihood promotion, marketing, credit linkages, and more. They are also expected to create tools and techniques that focus on institutional development. A key responsibility includes formulating mechanisms to ascertain a just price or producer price for Minor Forest Products (MFPs).
History of the Van Dhan Yojana
The roots of the “Van Dhan Internship Programme” can be traced back to the launch of the Van Dhan Yojana in 2018, which took place in Chhattisgarh. Under this scheme, a ‘Van Dhan Vikas Kendra’ was established. This Kendra essentially serves ten Self Help Groups, each comprising of thirty tribal gatherers.
The selection of tribal beneficiaries and the formation of SHGs has been undertaken by TRIFED. The purpose of setting up the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras is to promote the economic development of tribals involved in the collection of Minor Forest Produce (MFP), and to ensure a sustainable MFP-based livelihood in districts rich in MFPs.
A glance at Key Facts
| Year Van Dhan Yojana was launched | 2018 |
| State where it was first implemented | Chhattisgarh |
| Number of interns in ‘Van Dhan Internship Programme’ | 18 |
| Institutions from which interns are selected | Rural management, social work and social services’ institutes |
| Number of tribal gatherers in each Self Help Group | 30 |
The Impact of the Van Dhan Initiative
The “Van Dhan Internship Programme” serves as an essential step towards empowering the tribal population in India. By promoting self-reliance, improving marketing strategies for forest products, and developing fair pricing mechanisms, the initiative aims to ensure sustainable development and economic growth among tribal communities. Through these measures, the programme promises a brighter future for those involved in the collection of Minor Forest Products in the country.
