TRIFED signs MoU with Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini- Nation First Policy Research Centre (RMP-NFPRC) to leverage knowledge, expertise and institutional strengths
New Delhi: As a part of its mission to improve the livelihoods of the tribals (both forest dwellers and artisans) and work towards tribal empowerment, TRIFED, ever since its conception in August 1987, has been carrying out several programmes and initiatives.
A major game-changing initiative that has been implemented by TRIFED in the recent past is the Van Dhan programme, which TRIFED is spearheading in 27 States/UTs and 307 Districts with availability of MFPs as well as significant forest dwelling tribal population. In a bid to expand its activities and help more and more tribals, TRIFED has been getting into active collaboration with like-minded organisations, be it in the private or public sector. The objective of these collaborations is to combine the synergies so that tribals can get maximum benefit.
TRIFED entered into an agreement with Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini- Nation First Policy Research Centre (RMP-NFPRC) on December 29, 2021. This MoU is for a collaborative effort in leveraging knowledge, expertise and institutional strengths. The scope of the partnership, which came into effect from December 29, 2021 itself, will include, but is not limited to the following strategic areas:
• To develop and execute research projects around tribal development and related activities.
• To engage in assessing and reviewing the existing and upcoming government schemes like Van Dhan Yojana.
• To publish research findings in the form of joint reports, or any other publication(s).
• To promote and disseminate research, conduct sessions, and meetings with experts on the topic.
• To jointly host conferences, seminars and other such activities pertaining to the research.
• To exchange information, provide access to personnel(s) and data relevant to the research in hand.
• To forge collaborations with other like-minded entities outside this agreement, if found mutually desirable.
• To allow access to information from regional offices, state implementing agencies and other entities relevant to the scope of the project.
Among its flagship programmes and implementations, The ‘Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain for MFP’ Scheme, in particular, has impacted the tribal ecosystem as never before. Implemented by TRIFED in association with State Government Agencies across 21 states of the country, the scheme has injected more than Rs 3000 crores directly in the tribal economy since April 2020. Aided by the Government push in May 2020 wherein the prices of Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) were increased by up to 90% and the inclusion of 23 new items in the MFP list, this flagship scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which draws its strength from The Forest Rights Act of 2005, aims to provide remunerative and fair prices to tribal gatherers of forest produces.
The Van Dhan Vikas Yojana, also a component of the same scheme, further complements MSP beautifully and has emerged as a source of employment generation for tribal gatherers and forest dwellers and the home-bound tribal artisans. The beauty of the programme is that it ensures that the proceeds from the sales of these value-added products go to the tribals directly.
To take this to the next logical phase, TRIFED is exploring convergences with organisations, government and non-government and academic, to continue its mission towards tribal empowerment. The aim is to pooling strengths together and undertake work that will help in boosting the income and livelihoods of the tribal people.
TRIFED continues to work towards generating income and livelihoods for tribal people through such flagship schemes like the MSP for MFP and the Van Dhan Yojana.