Govt to take measures for inclusion of Tribes in mainstream economic activity

The Ministry through two of its agencies namely Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) and National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation (NSTFDC) have contributed significantly in promoting economic activities being undertaken by the tribal communities and have impacted in turn their economic development.

Under the component of ‘Van Dhan’ of Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) scheme, TRIFED has sanctioned 3958 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras associating 11.83 lakh beneficiaries since its inception in 2019-20. These VDVKs have made a business of around Rs. 41 crores through value addition of Minor Forest Produces (MFPs) and non-MFPs so far (as on 6.12.2023).

TRIFED has also empaneled 3069 tribal artisans / suppliers and has realized a sale of Rs. 172.55 crores by marketing of various categories of tribal products through their online / offline platforms since 2019-20 (upto 30.11.2023).

Similarly, NSTFDC has disbursed concessional loans amounting to Rs. 1343.06 crores to 2.56 lakh beneficiaries since 2019-20 (as on 31.10.2023) under its schemes like Term Loan, Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana, Micro Credit scheme, Adivasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana etc. for undertaking various economic activities, Smt. Saruta stated.