As India celebrates the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the government is aggressively working towards intensifying the programmes and activities for the welfare of the tribal for the overall inclusive growth of the nation.
In line with these efforts, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda launched various noteworthy initiatives TRIFED, including a VanDhan Chronicle; 9 promotional videos on TRIBES INDIA, TRIFOOD, MSP for MFP and Van Dhan Yojana made by National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and 14 Honey Farmer Producer Organisations.
The Ministry of Tribal affairs also signed an MoU with UNICEF on Tribal Samvaad Network.
In recent years, TRIFED has been implementing multiple programmes for the empowerment of the tribal communities. In the last two years, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs successfully sanctioned 52,976 Van Dhan SHGs subsumed into 3110 Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Clusters (VDVKCs) covering 9.27 lakh beneficiaries & 27 States/UTs.
To document these achievements and create a database of all the works done to empower tribal communities, the Ministry has launched “TRIFED Van Dhan: A Chronicle of Tribal Grit & Enterprise”
The Chronicle documents the work done for the promotion of tribal enterprises and the achievements of tribal entrepreneurs under the Van Dhan Vikas Yojana. It provides an in-depth illustration of the activities implemented by TRIFED which have impacted the lives of almost 16 lakh tribals.
These include the introduction of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for select forest produces, training imparted, value addition that began in VDVKCs; development and implementation details of new product lines, new ideas for packaging and marketing, achievements so far and future plans.
Initiative to ensure Atmanirbharata in Krishi
The Govt of India has recognised Beekeeping activity as one of the important activities to achieve the “Sweet Revolution”, also known as Honey Mission or Mithi Kranti. The Mission intends to increase the promotion of the development of scientific beekeeping and production of honey and related products to double the farmers’ income.
A central scheme titled “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)” has been launched to ensure economies of scale for farmers over the next five years.
The scheme lays special emphasis on beekeeping with the formation of 100 FPOs in identified potential Districts/States. The National Bee Board (NBB), under the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NHBM), will develop the scientific bee-keeping value chain for honey across 100 clusters in the country.
The Ministry of Agriculture had appointed TRIFED as the implementing agency. Under this, the Tribal Affairs Ministry initiated the formation of 14 Honey FPOs alongside NAFED and NDDB in the states of Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Gujarat.
Tribal Samvaad network: TRIFED Partnership with UNICEF
UNICEF and TRIFED have joined hands to launch the “Tribal Samvaad network” – a Tribal network for Social and Behaviour Change (A people-to-people ‘prosperity’ platform built on the emergent digital, social, alternate and mobile revolution).
This vast network includes more than 90 million tribals, 52,976 Van Dhan SHGs, 3110 VDVK Clusters, market associations, haat bazaars and the Tribes India network and the State agencies. Using this wide connection, the TRIFED and UNICEF intend to create a robust communication system and platform that covers not only the VDVKs but also this huge base of 90 million people.
The mantra of the campaign is “Samvad se Sambandh.” – (Magazine quote box)
Moreover, TRIFED and UNICEF will further implement multiple channels and communication strategies and tools for the economic and social empowerment of tribal communities.
Earlier, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with UNICEF started a campaign named “Covid teeka Sangh, Surakshit van, Dhan udyam”. The campaign aims to accelerate Covid-19 vaccination in tribal communities with a focus on three key Js i.e., Jeevan (Life), Jeevika (Livelihood) and Jaagrookta (Awareness). The scheme is being currently rolled out in 100 tribal districts across India.
Real-time Data on the procurement of MFPs
An MIS Portal for Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produces was launched which is a ready dashboard for the authorised users of The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED.
On this dashboard, data is available on a real-time basis, pertaining to the list of procurement centres and their locations (including display pins on maps), and the procurement of MFPs being done across the country. The portal has been launched to ensure ready and online availability of procurement-related data for analysis as well as fast and effective decision making.
The real-time availability of data will ensure transparency in the procurement activities, at the same time provide a reflection on the performance and efficiency of the different states and districts.
Other initiatives launched by TRIFED;
In addition to the above activities, the Ministry also launched 9 Promotional Videos that give the details on Tribes India, TRIFOOD, MSP for MFP & Van Dhan Vikas Yojana. These attractive informational videos have been developed by National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and will soon be on air.
Tribal Livelihoods: From Sustenance to Sustainability
To constitute a knowledge repository of tribal art and craft, encompassing the elements that govern the tribal lifestyle and livelihood and to promote socio-development of the tribal communities, TRIFED in collaboration with JD Centre of Arts undertook a socio-cultural research work and anthropological study of tribal art and tradition.
The research was done in the Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundergarh, Koraput and Rayagada districts of Odisha. The research report titled, ‘Tribal Livelihoods: From Sustenance to Sustainability’ has been launched to highlight the creative capabilities of tribal groups and their interconnectedness with the surrounding environment. The repository chronicles the cultural, social and historical background of 7 musical instruments, 2 paintings and textiles, 3 livelihood art and craft, more than 20 sets of tribal jewellery and 72 MFPs with medicinal properties.
Currently, TRIFED plays a key role in imparting skill up-gradation, training and providing necessary equipment and toolkits for processing, ongoing mentoring support etc. to India’s tribal communities so as to ensure uninterrupted execution of routine but important activities at each VDVK.
