Nagaland emerges as another example of ‘tribal entrepreneurship’

Context

Nagaland has become another model of tribal entrepreneurship, demonstrating to the rest of the country how ‘cluster development’ and ‘value addition’ can enable members to earn a higher income.

About Cluster Development

• The Cluster Development Programme in horticulture is an initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
• It aims objective to enhance the export of horticulture produce.

• This programme also aims at improving productivity, post-harvest management, logistics and marketing.
• These clusters will operate under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) introduced by TRIFED in association with state departments.
• The Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission is the nodal agency for honey production in the state and implements the cluster programmes within the purview of PMVDY.
• TRIFED has enabled the mechanism for marketing of MFP through MSP and also developed a value chain for the minor forest produce.
• This showed positive results with the increase in the procurement boosting the tribal start-ups and generating employment for tribal gatherers and forest dwellers.

What is the Van Dhan Scheme?

• These clusters are just a few of the many that have been created as part of the Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), which was launched by TRIFED, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with state governments.
• The scheme aims at the economic development of tribals involved in the collection of Minor Food Produces (MFPs) by helping them in optimum utilization of natural resources and providing them with a sustainable livelihood.
• Under this scheme, the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras constituted, provide skill up-gradation and capacity building training and setting up of primary processing and value addition facilities.