Government Boosts Tribal Entrepreneurship and Livelihood in Assam
In a significant move to enhance the livelihoods of tribal communities, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, Shri Durgadas Uikey, announced in the Lok Sabha that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs is actively supporting individuals through its agencies, the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance & Development Corporation (NSTFDC). This initiative targets the promotion of entrepreneurship and income generation for tribal populations across India.
Empowering Tribals Through PMJVM
The Ministry is implementing the ‘Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM)’, which aims to boost tribal entrepreneurship by providing sustainable livelihood opportunities. Under this mission, the government allocated Rs. 15 lakhs to state governments for establishing Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), which focus on the value addition of Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) and other products. Since the program’s launch in 2019-20, an impressive 495 VDVKs have received funding totaling Rs. 7425 lakhs, engaging over 150,765 members in Assam. Of these, 359 VDVKs are operational, generating reported sales of Rs. 1623.36 lakhs.
Linking Tribal Artisans to Markets
TRIFED also plays a crucial role in connecting tribal artisans and suppliers with lucrative markets. This includes the promotion of a variety of tribal products, such as metal crafts, textiles, jewelry, and organic food, on both online and offline platforms. Festivals and exhibitions organized by TRIFED offer tribal artisans a chance to display their work and interact with potential customers. In Assam, 1087 tribal artisans across 9543 families have been empaneled, and five Tribes India outlets have been established:
| S. No | Outlet Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tribes India, Shilpgram | NEZCC Campus, Near Sakardev, Kalashetra, Guwahati |
| 2 | Tribes India, Manipur Bhawan | Manipur Bhawan, ASEB Road, Guwahati |
| 3 | Tribes India, Artfed | A K Azad Road, Rahabari, Guwahati |
| 4 | Tribes India, Airport, Guwahati | Departure Lounge Area, Guwahati Airport |
| 5 | Tribes India, Bongaigaon | BGR Township Shipping Complex, Chirang, BTR Assam |
Financial Support Initiatives
In line with its mission, the PMJVM scheme includes a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for MFPs, with the State of Assam receiving Rs. 66.935 lakhs in revolving funds. These funds have facilitated the procurement of 191.11 MT of MFPs, valued at Rs. 102.41 lakhs.
Nurturing Entrepreneurship Through NSTFDC
The NSTFDC, a central public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is pivotal in providing concessional loans to eligible Scheduled Tribe individuals and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for income-generating activities. Their various schemes are designed to support projects with funding up to ₹50 lakhs and loans for women entrepreneurs and education. In the past three years, NSTFDC has disbursed ₹64.26 lakhs in loans to 64 beneficiaries in Assam, further bolstering tribal economic development.
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