The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey informed the Rajya Sabha that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through TRIFED, is implementing two schemes to strengthen entrepreneurship initiatives and facilitate livelihood opportunities for tribal communities. The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) focus on efficient use of natural resources, Minor Forest Produce (MFP), and farm & non-farm tribal product-based enterprises.
Under the PMJVM scheme, 4,172 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) have been sanctioned across 28 States/UTs, associating 12.48 lakh beneficiaries including tribal women. Each typical PMJVM VDVK comprises 15 Self-Help Groups with 20 beneficiaries each. The PM-JANMAN scheme has sanctioned 540 VDVKs across 18 States/UTs, associating 0.46 lakh beneficiaries, with each VDVK comprising 5 SHGs with 10 beneficiaries each.
Training has been provided to beneficiaries of 2,922 VDVKs covering 7.13 lakh beneficiaries (both men and women) in sustainable collection of Minor Forest Produce, agricultural produce and allied livelihood activities, primary processing, value addition, packaging, branding, and marketing of products. Currently, 3,406 VDVKs are operational and have collectively sold value-added products worth approximately ₹174 crore through local markets, fairs (melas), and the Bharat Tribes Fest (BTF), enhancing income generation and promoting sustainable livelihoods among tribal communities including tribal women.