The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in a recent news update, has unveiled its plan to set up 200 ‘Van Dhan’ producer companies across all the 27 states within the next five years. This initiative, part of the Van Dhan programme, places special emphasis on the Aspirational Districts. Aspirational Districts refer to those areas in India that are struggling with poor socio-economic indicators. The Transformation of Aspirational Districts’ Programme (TADP) is overseen by the NITI Aayog at the central level.
Understanding the Van Dhan Programme
The Van Dhan Programme is a market-linked tribal entrepreneurship development initiative that concentrates on forming clusters of tribal Self Help Groups (SHGs) and transforming them into robust Tribal Producer Companies. Launched in 2018 under the name Pradhan Manti Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), this scheme focuses on harnessing the forest wealth for generating livelihood opportunities for tribals. The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) is in charge of implementing this programme.
This initiative aims to capitalize on the traditional knowledge and skill sets of tribals, using technology and IT to enhance it at every stage and transform tribal wisdom into an economically viable activity. It seeks to encourage and leverage the collective strength of tribals to attain a practical scale that can counteract the predatory market forces prevalent in certain regions. The proposition is to establish tribal community-owned Minor Forest Produce (MFP)-centric multi-purpose Van Dhan Vikas Kendras predominantly in tribal districts.
Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED)
Operational under the supervision of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, TRIFED is a national-level apex organization with the fundamental mission of equipping tribal people with knowledge, tools, and a pool of information to help them operate in a more organized and scientific manner. TRIFED is responsible for organizing Tribal Artisan Melas (TAMs) that help identify new artisans and new products at the sourcing level in States/Districts/Villages, thereby expanding the base of tribal producers.
TRIFED is also engaged with the Minor Forest Produce (MFP) Through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and TRIFOOD Schemes and is extending the reach of the Skills Development and Micro entrepreneurship programme, along with the Tribal Livelihoods program.
Tribal Livelihood Programmes
Various measures and schemes like the Forest Rights Act, 2006, Panchayati Raj Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act 1996, Education initiatives and Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana have been introduced to improve and protect tribal rights and livelihoods. These initiatives aim to empower tribals by providing ownership and control over forest lands, enhance education opportunities, and promote holistic development of the tribal population.
The shrinking forest covers have necessitated the need for alternate employment opportunities for tribals. In response, TRIFED established TribesIndia, a chain of showrooms showcasing various categories of handicrafts such as tribal textiles, tribal jewelry. Alongside this, TRIFED is continually working on building the capacity of the tribes.
With these initiatives, the government is committed to bringing the tribal population at par with other social groups and including them in the nation’s overall progress.
Last Modified: February 13, 2024