Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation Of India Limited (TRIFED), on behalf of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is implementing Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce (MSP for MFP), Van Dhan Yojana under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) and Promotion of Tribal Products in North Eastern Region (PTP-NER) schemes in Nagaland with the help of the Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change as State Nodal Department(SND) and DUDA, MARCOFED AND NBHM as State Implementation Agency(SIA). In addition various other Government departments like Rural Livelihood Mission, DC Handicraft and Handloom and the State administration as well as District Administration of various Districts of Nagaland have also been helpful in conduct of our various activities in the State.
As part of MSP for MFP, as revolving fund for procurement of MFPs at MSP laid down by Government of India, is released to States against their MFP Procurement proposals. So far, 87 MFPs have been identified for which Rs.2.52 Crore has been released to Nagaland as revolving fund and a procurement of Rs 1.34 Crore has been carried out by the State from MFP gatherers. MFP items procured by Nagaland include - Hill Broom Grass, Zanthoxylum Dried, Nutgall, Rosella, Perilla, Wild Honey, Ginger dry, Dried king Chilli, Elephant Apple Dry and Bamboo Shoot.
The other components of the Scheme includes release of Funds for Infrastructure development like modernization of Haats & creation of storage facilities. For Modernisation of Haat Rs. 5.00 Lakh per Haat is given and Rs. 3.25 Lakhs is provisioned for creation of storage facilities/godown. In the State of Nagaland, funds amounting to Rs. 0.66 Crore has been provided for modernization of Haats and creation of storage facilities.
As part of Van Dhan Yojana a group of 300 Tribal forest Dwellers / other Tribal Artisans are organized into 15-20 SHGs with 10-15 members in each SHG to provide livelihood opportunities to the Tribal Population by formation of VDVK (Van Dhan Vikas Kendra). An amount of Rs 15 Lakh per VDVK is provided by TRIFED to support the cost of training, purchase of Tool Kit, Machinery, Raw Material, Branding Packaging and other related administrative expenses. So far in the State of Nagaland an amount of Rs 42.60 Crores has been sanctioned for formation of 284 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras associating 85,198 Tribal beneficiaries in the State. Of the sanctioned VDVKs 163 VDVKs have been reported to be operationlized and have also carried out sale of Rs 4.90 Crores. MARCO FED, DUDA and NBHM are playing a vital support in operationalisation of these VDVKs.
As part of PTP NER Scheme, TRIFED promotes the Tribal Artisans of NER as well as their Products and gives them logistics and Marketing Support. The Scheme was launched in April 2023. As part of the Scheme Tribal Artisans are identified at their door steps by conduct of TAeMs (Tribal Artisan empanelment Melas) at various Districts / Blocks. Tribal Artisans from the nearby areas are invited to a pre-decided venue at the location along with heir sample products and documents like Aadhar Card, ST Certificate, Bank Passbook Copy and photographs. A team of experts select the products of these Artisans for Marketing Support through TRIFED. TRIFED provides Marketing Support by procurement of their products/ produces and selling them through 119 Tribes India Outlets across the nation and through online portal Tibesindia.com. In addition TRIFED also invites these Artisans and sponsors them to various Melas and Exhibitions conducted by TRIFED and various other Govt and reputed orgainisations across the Country. During the participation Travelling expenditure, food and accommodation charges and expenditure related to hiring of Stalls is paid by TRIFED. In last one and a half year TRIFED has conducted 142 TAeMs covering 98 Districts of NER. A total of 17 Nos of TAeMs were conducted in Nagaland and 1003 beneficiaries were addressed. 613 Tribal Beneficiaries were empanelled and 180 beneficiaries were identified for Training. 260 Sample Products amounting to Rs.191064 were procured from these Artisans. So far Purchase orders worth Rs.112.43 lakhs have been given to these Artisans and products worth Rs 20.06 lakhs have already been supplied by these Artisans.
The Adi Bazaar is also an effort to provide Marketing Support to Tribal Artisans and the event, which was inaugurated by Minister, Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along on 8th October, which will continue till 16th Oct 2024. There are 32 Stalls from Artisans of all States of NER. The bazaar offers an opportunity to see the unique craftsmanship and skills of various parts of North East India at one common platform. The products available include, Handlooms & Handicrafts, Jewelry Products, Metal Craft, Cane & Bamboo Products, Gift & Novelties etc.
(I.Tiakumla Ao, IA Dimapur)
