Manipur emerges as a model state for Van Dhan Vikas Yojana

Context

Manipur has emerged as the champion state where the Van Dhan program has emerged as a major source of employment for the local tribals, since the program was launched in the state in October 2019.

About the Van Dhan Vikas Yojana

• The Van Dhan Yojana or Van Dhan Scheme, a component of the  ‘Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain for MFP’.
• It was launched on 14th April 2018.
• Nodal Agency: It is being implemented by TRIFED as the nodal agency at the national level.
• Objective: the Van Dhan start-ups is a well-thought master plan for the socio-economic development of the tribal population of the country.
• Process involved:
• An initiative targeting livelihood generation for tribal gatherers and transforming them into entrepreneurs.
• The idea is to set-up tribal community owned Van DhanVikasKendras (VDVKs) in predominantly forested tribal districts.
• A Kendra shall constitute 15 tribal SHGs, each comprising of up to 20 tribal NTFP gatherers or artisans i.e. about 300 beneficiaries per Van Dhan Kendra.
• 100% Central Government Funded with TRIFED providing Rs. 15 lakhs for each 300 members Van Dhan Kendra.

About Manipur Model

• Implementation: TRIFED has been implementing several programs and initiatives.
• The focus of these initiatives is to make India self-reliant under the AtmanirbharAbhiyan.
• Cooperation: The active cooperation and participation of the state government at every level, the Van DhanKendras of Manipur have turned out to be a model enterprise for the rest of the country.
• The ample support from the district administration and other stakeholders have been instrumental in mentoring the tribal entrepreneurs through team meetings, Advocacy, workshops, pieces of training.
• Training and Skill development: Various cluster-wise training and skill development and the up-gradation for value addition of NTFPs and entrepreneurial management have also been organized at the district levels.
• collaboration with existing companies such as Zingran Foods, Meira Foods, Kangla Foods, and ThangjamAgro Industries (Likla) was also sought.