Miscellaneous Schemes under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs
🟩 Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain
🌱 What is the Core Idea?
This scheme is a social safety net for tribal forest dwellers who collect Minor Forest Produce (MFP). The government ensures they get a fair price (Minimum Support Price – MSP) so that they are not exploited by middlemen.
It’s akin to how MSP works for farmers, but here the beneficiaries are MFP gatherers, not cultivators.
📌 Key Features:
- Launched in 2013-14
- Implemented by: TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India)
- In collaboration with: State Government Agencies
- Coverage: All States across India
- Convergence with: Van Dhan Vikas Yojana (discussed next)
📊 MSP Determination & Price Review: Step-by-Step
| Step | Explanation |
| 1. Applicability | Scheme runs pan-India. |
| 2. Survey Phase | Conducted by a dedicated Pricing Cell under TRIFED. |
| 3. Approval | MoTA approves State-wise MSP for each MFP. |
| 4. Review Cycle | MSP is reviewed every 3 years based on cost of collection. |
🟨 What is Minor Forest Produce (MFP)?
- Defined under the Forest Rights Act, 2006
- It refers to all non-timber forest produce of plant origin such as:
Bamboo, cane, tendu leaves, lac, honey, wax, medicinal plants, roots, tubers, tusser cocoons, etc.
🔎 Note: MFP is a subset of forest produce, but explicitly excludes timber.
Legal source: Indian Forest Act, 1927 and FRA 2006
🟩 Van Dhan Vikas Yojana (VDVY)
🎯 Purpose
Transform tribal forest produce gatherers into entrepreneurs through organized, value-added operations.
This scheme represents a paradigm shift from just being gatherers to becoming owners of micro-enterprises.
🛠️ Implemented by:
TRIFED, as a component of the above MSP-linked MFP scheme. Launched in 2018
🔑 Key Features of VDVY
| Component | Details |
| Van Dhan Self Help Groups (SHGs) | Target: 30,000 SHGs to be set up per year |
| Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) | Cluster of 15 SHGs → each VDVK gets ₹15 lakh support |
| Impact Coverage | Target to empower 5.5 crore tribal gatherers |
| Mission | To set up 50,000 Kendras across 307 tribal districts in 27 states |
| Ownership Contribution | Each member contributes ₹1000 to instill accountability |
| Support from Panchayats | Operational premises provided by local administration |
Campaign Slogan:
- “Mera Van – Mera Dhan – Mera Udyan”
- “Sabka Saath – Sabka Vikas”
🟩 TRIFOOD Scheme
This is the tertiary-level value addition initiative — where MFP is processed into final products, launched in 2020.
⚙️ Implemented Jointly By:
- Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI)
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA)
- TRIFED
🔧 Function:
- Processing Centres set up under PM Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY)
- Uses the SFURTI Model (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) under MSME Ministry
📦 Objective:
To create backward and forward linkages — so tribal produce can become marketable finished goods, ensuring year-round income.
Imagine a tribal SHG harvesting amla — under TRIFOOD, they can now process and sell amla juice or candy, not just raw fruit.
🟩 “Friends of Tribes” Initiative
🌐 What is it?
A Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) tie-up initiative, launched in 2019 — where private companies fund tribal livelihood programs via TRIFED.
- Utilizes CSR funds to promote tribal entrepreneurship, particularly in forest and handicraft-based livelihoods.
🟩 Go Tribal Campaign
🎯 Purpose
To promote tribal arts, crafts, and products under the Tribes India brand.
| Implemented by | TRIFED |
| Launched in | 2019 |
| Scope | Promotes products of over 700 tribes |
| Availability | Sold via Tribes India stores and e-commerce platforms (Amazon, Flipkart, etc.) |
| Goal | Cultural promotion + income generation |
🎨 Think of it as the branding wing for tribal products — turning local art into global commerce.
🟩 GOAL Program (Going Online as Leaders)
This is a digital mentorship program for tribal youth, launched in collaboration with Facebook (now Meta). It was launched in 2020
🎯 Objective:
To empower tribal youth to become leaders in their respective fields through online learning and mentoring.
Whether it’s digital literacy, entrepreneurship, or communication — the aim is to prepare tribal youth for the 21st-century economy.