6-Jun-2021: Expanding implementation of the Van Dhan Yojana in the Union Territory of Ladakh

In its series of State Level webinars that TRIFED conducted recently to review the progress of the implementation of the Van Dhan Yojana, one important outreach session was with the state teams and VDVKs of the Union Territory of Ladakh.  The main focus of the session was to plan the operationalization of the sanctioned VDVKs and VDVKCs. Attendees from the UT (SIAs, SNAs, VDVKCs) were keyed up and geared to operationalize the currently sanctioned 10 VDVK cluster in the Union Territory with utmost urgency.  NRLM is the implementing agency for the UT of Ladakh.

The webinar was initiated to reiterate the need and importance of implementation of MSP For MFP Scheme, Van Dhan Yojana and other convergence projects which aid in employment and income generation for the tribal people, while keeping in mind and implementing complete safety measures during these times of the pandemic.

The webinar started with a progress update on the status of implementation of the MSP for MFP Scheme and Van Dhan Yojana by the regional manager of the region. It was informed that progress of implementation of  Van Dhan Vikas Kendras and VDVKCs had not picked up as the State Implementing Agencies have a shortage of manpower. However, survey work of 5 VDVKCs had been completed. It was agreed to have follow-up meetings at regular intervals.

Based on the discussion, it was also agreed to formulate and implement the five-step plan for each VDVKC. Step 1 of the five-step plan involves the identification of items for Procurement of MFPS in each VDVKC and strengthening it with a planned development of infrastructure including Procurement Sheds and godowns. Step 2 entails the appointment of Local NGOs or NRLM Officials as Mentors for each Cluster as per guidelines issued and Release of  money to each Cluster by Transferring Rs 10 lacs to each cluster account. Step 3 will require the preparation of  a Business Plan for each cluster for taking up Value addition and other formalities including opening of bank account and setting up of signages and Boards for identification of each VDVK Cluster and VDVK. Step 4 envisages the Planning and facilitating of each Cluster into Production, Branding, Packaging and Sale of its selected products as per the Business Plan. And in Step 5, ESDP, SFURTI and TRIFOOD schemes will be converged with respective clusters gradually to expand the scope of programme.

The rest of the webinar was focused on the clarification of any related queries from either the UT teams or the representatives of the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras or clusters.

A series of Webinars with Top Officials of the partner states across the country has taken place from May 10-May 28,2021.

The Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and its component, Van Dhan tribal start-ups is an initiative implemented by TRIFED towards income and livelihood generation of the tribal population. The MSP For MFP Scheme aims to provide remunerative and fair prices to tribal gatherers of forest produces, almost three times higher than would be available to them from middle men, trebling their incomes.

The Van Dhan tribal start-ups is a programme for value addition, branding & marketing of Minor Forest Produces by establishing Van Dhan Kendras to facilitate creation of sustainable livelihoods for the forest-based tribes. A typical Van Dhan Vikas Kendra includes 20 tribal members. 15 such Van Dhan Vikas Kendras form 1 Van Dhan Vikas Kendra cluster. The Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Clusters (VDVKCs) provide Van Dhan Vikas Kendras economies of scale, livelihood and market-linkages, as well as entrepreneurship opportunities.

To continue with the progress made in the implementation and take it to the next level, the convergence of the Van Dhan Yojana with the MSP for MFP has been planned through the convergence of the Van Dhan Yojana to the Enterprise Model: from processing to cluster development under SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) and TRIFOOD.

The webinars provided an opportunity to the State implementing agencies and the other stakeholders to connect, review and correct course of action so that maximum benefit that can be derived by the efficient implementation of these schemes accrue to the tribal population.

With the successful implementation of these planned initiatives, TRIFED is working towards the transformation of the tribal ecosystem.

1-Jun-2021: Van Dhan Yojana to be expanded this year in the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu

Moving ahead with the series of State Level webinars conducted to review the progress of the implementation of the Van Dhan Yojana, TRIFED conducted an outreach session with the state teams and VDVKs of the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu recently. The main focus of the session was to plan the way forward regarding the progress of the implementation of the scheme. Attendees from the various agencies (SIAs, SNAs, VDVKCs) said that preparations are in full swing to expand the programme from the currently sanctioned 1 VDVK cluster in the Union Territory to 10 VDVK Clusters by the end of the year. 

The webinar started with an address by Shri Pravir Krishna MD, TRIFED who reiterated the need and importance of implementation of MSP For MFP Scheme, Van Dhan Yojana and other convergence projects which aid in employment and income generation for the tribal people, while keeping in mind and implementing complete safety measures during these times of the pandemic.

This was followed by a quick progress update on the status of implementation of the MSP for MFP Scheme and Van Dhan Yojana by the regional manager of the region. Based on the discussion with the participating implementing agencies, it was decided that at least 10 VDVKCs would be formed this year, for which additional proposals will be submitted. 2 SFURTI clusters are also in the pipeline. It has also been agreed that the existing SHGs of the Dairy Cooperative structure in the UT will be linked with Van Dhan Yojana.  Discussions regarding the prospect of developing a TRIFOOD Park and the launch of a new Tribes India outlet will also be planned.

During the meeting, it was also agreed that the five-step plan for each VDVKC would be formulated. Step 1 of the five-step plan involves the identification of items for Procurement of MFPS in each VDVKC and strengthening it with a planned development of infrastructure including Procurement Sheds and godowns. Step 2 entails the appointment of Local NGOs or NRLM Officials as Mentors for each Cluster as per guidelines issued and Release of  money to each Cluster by Transferring Rs 10 lacs to each cluster account. Step 3 will require the preparation of  a Business Plan for each cluster for taking up Value addition and other formalities including opening of bank account and setting up of signages and Boards for identification of each VDVK Cluster and VDVK. Step 4 envisages the Planning and facilitating of each Cluster into Production, Branding, Packaging and Sale of its selected products as per the Business Plan. And in Step 5, ESDP, SFURTI and TRIFOOD schemes will be converged with respective clusters gradually to expand the scope of programme.

The rest of the webinar was focused on the clarification of any related queries from either the local government teams or the representatives of the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras or clusters. The webinar was also attended by UNICEF representatives to guide the VDVK members regarding safe practices during COVID. This will provide sustainable livelihoods to more Tribal Families based on Grants for each of the above activities as a viability gap funding for aspirational and far flung areas of the state to promote growth based on local asset base and skill sets of the people residing there.

A series of Webinars with Top Officials of the partner states across the country have been organized by TRIFED during 10th – 28th May, 2021.

24-May-2020: an Dhan for Jaan and Jahaan: The Story of Shahapur’s Katkari Tribe

What can come out of a group of a few dedicated boys led by an able leader and enabling support from government organisations? A lot, apparently.

This has been proved yet again, by “Adivasi Ekatmik Samajik Sanstha” of Shahapur in Thane, which markets Giloy and other products. Giloy is a medicinal plant with huge demand from pharmaceutical companies.

The journey started when Sunil Pawar, a youth from Katkari (कातकरी) community, and his team of 10 -12 friends started facilitating various works of Katkari tribals at revenue offices in his native place. Katkari is one of the 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, as per the classification by Ministry of Home Affairs.

There are certain tribal communities who use a pre-agricultural level of technology, face stagnant or declining population growth, and are equipped with only an extremely low level of literacy and a subsistence level of economy. 75 such groups of tribals in 18 States and one Union Territory have been identified and categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).

Sunil Pawar, a young lad and his friends started this enterprise of selling giloy in local markets. A good samaritan in the form of Shri Arun Pansare saw their efforts and offered them a place to start their office. Once they started working from an office situated near the market area, more tribals came to know about it and started joining them.

Sunil Pawar meanwhile came across an advertisement of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana run by TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India in association with Nodal Agency - ST Welfare Department, Govt. of Maharashtra.

Sunil approached them for help which he readily received and soon the demand for giloy picked up. Called गुडूची in Ayurveda, giloy is used in medicines which treat various kinds of fever (viral fever, malaria, etc.) as well as diabetes. It is used in extract form, powder form or cream.

“Not confining ourselves to local market and pharma companies, we plan to take giloy to far away markets with the help of big retail chains like D-Mart. We have created a website too. Online sale is happening through it during lockdown period. Government is forthcoming in issuing passes to us so that produce can be transported and sold without hindrance”, Shri Pawar said.

Efforts were made by Adivasi Ekatmik Samajik Sanstha, Shahapur coordinated by Sunil to not only expand the market for the produce but also to diversify into other forest products. They have started collecting and selling the 7 types of  Samidha (sacrificial offerings made mostly of wood) which are offered in the holy fire during the performance of Puja.

“Shabri Adivasi Vitta Vikas Mahamandal plans to train these SHGs in establishing backward and forward linkages for their produce. In backward linkages, we will train tribals about how to pick giloy without affecting its long-term availability, this way it will be available for a longer period and they will also be taught about plantation of the same. In forward linkages, we will train them to process the giloy into making different products which will fetch better price for them,” said Shri Nitin Patil, Managing Director of the Shabari Adivasi Vitta Mahamandal under Government of Maharashtra.

Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana provides working capital for these SHGs. So they don’t have to sell their produce in distress, moreover they can immediately pay tribals for produce they have picked up, this greatly helps tribals in having steady income, Shri Patil informed.

Background: Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) is a retail marketing led value addition plan for Minor Forest Produce (MFP), meant for forest-based tribes to optimize the tribal income, locally. Under the program, MFP-based tribal groups / enterprises of around 300 members are formed for collection, value addition, packaging & marketing of Minor Forest Produces (MFPs).

These tribal enterprises will be in the form of Van Dhan SHGs which will be a group of 15-20 members and such 15 SHG groups will further be federated into a larger group of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKS) of around 300 members.

TRIFED will support the VDVKs through providing them with model business plans, processing plans & tentative list of equipment for carrying out the value addition work of MFPs. The details would be made available on the TRIFED’s website.

28-Jun-2019: Training Workshop for implementing teams of Van Dhan Yojana Organized

A workshop to flag the 100 days’ plan for implementation of the Van Dhan Scheme was organised by TRIFED of Ministry of Tribal Affairs in New Delhi. The workshop was inaugurated and chaired by Minister for Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda. Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Smt Renuka Singh was also present on the occasion. The Van Dhan program workshop was organised for training of implementing teams of Van Dhan Yojana.

Shri Arjun Munda appreciated the efforts of TRIFED team for the successful launch and acknowledged that the team’s efforts have been channelized in the right direction and were contributing significantly to the cause of tribal livelihood and income enhancement.

The Minister emphasised that the Tribal groups are the rightful owners of the Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and we are only helping them claim their rightful value for the forest produce. The tribal groups are the guardians of some of the most important natural resources, like forest, rivers, and minerals, he said. Despite such invaluable efforts by the tribal community, they are still amongst the most deprived communities and it is the government’s duty to support them in their efforts. He advised the team to work with utmost passion for making an impact on the ground through successful implementation of the scheme. Shri Arjun Munda emphasized on the importance of networking and collaborating with stakeholders from public and private sectors to ensure maximum outreach for the scheme. He advised the team to work on the implementation roadmap with utmost accountability and as per timelines.

Smt Renuka Singh emphasised on the importance of this scheme for income enhancement and employment generation for the tribal communities. This scheme would be instrumental in bringing about impact at the community level for tribal groups.

MD TRIFED, Shri Pravir emphasized that Van Dhan Programme would be the priority and there would be selection of the best functioning collectives from LAMPs, Aajivika Missions, and JFMCs, for implementation of the scheme at ground level. He emphasized on the importance of a sustainable business plan & marketing strategy for successful business operations of Van Dhan Self Help Groups.

As included in the 100 days’ program of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, the Van Dhan Karyakaram would establish 50,000 ‘Van Dhan Vikas Kendras’ in the tribal areas of the country to ensure livelihood generation, income enhancement and empowerment of tribals. The Scheme will have a coverage of 27 states and 307 predominant tribal districts across India. The Van Dhan Karyakaram will cover 50 non-nationalized MFP items with Minimum Support Price to provide fair and remunerative returns to the tribals. The scheme aims to set up and operationalize 3000 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras in FY 2019-20, of which 600 VDVKs will be established during the 100-Day Plan.