TRIFED introduced "Technology for Tribals" program for the development of tribal entrepreneurship

TRIFED has launched a special “Technology for Adivasis” project aimed at transforming the lives of 5 crore tribal entrepreneurs.

TRIFED and IIT-Kanpur have offered this in the first phase of organizing the tribal entrepreneurship and skill development program in association with IIT-Roorkee, IIM Indore, Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences, Bhubaneswar and Srujan, Jaipur.
TRIFED’s initiative “Techniques for Tribals”, supported by the Ministry of MSME, aims to develop capacity and develop entrepreneurial skills among the tribal nominees who have been selected under Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY). Under this, trainees will undergo a 30-day program lasting six weeks, with 120 sessions.
Under the technology program for tribals, participants will develop entrepreneurship course material in value addition and processing of wild produce. The course includes achievement motivation and positive psychology, entrepreneurial capabilities, product positioning- grading / storing, branding, packaging, product certification, preparing bankable project reports, market surveys, business plan preparation, distribution channels – retailing, manufacturers’ Supply Contract with, Good Manufacturing Process (GMP), Complete Quality Control (TQC), Clean Richaln management, operations, and financial statements, business strategy and development, digital literacy and IT acceptance, etc.

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The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 April 2018 during the Ambedkar Jayanti festival in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh. The scheme aims to produce non-timber small forest produce (MFP), livelihood for the tribes using the real wealth of the forest.
For this, the scheme will also provide them skill up-gradation and capacity building training for the value addition of forest produce. It aims to further enhance traditional knowledge and skills with the help of technology and IT. Its main objective is to promote the development of MFP-focused livelihoods of tribal depositors and artisans.
It is being implemented by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Association of India (TRIFED) through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs at the central level and as the nodal agency at the national level by providing training and technical support.
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras: Van Dhan Vikas Kendras are being run in tribal districts rich in forest wealth through tribal communities. TRIFED is setting up 1,200 “Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs)” for 3.6 lakh tribal wild produce pickers from 28 states. A typical VDVK consists of 15 Self Help Groups (SHGs) and an SHG consists of 20 Adivasis.
The Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) provide skill upgradation and capacity building training and establish primary processing and value addition facilities. Locally, these centers are managed by the Management Committee.

The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Association of India Limited (TRIFED – The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India) was established in 1987 by the Government of India. The basic objective of TRIFED is to market the products collected or made by the tribal people from the forest. Arrangements are to be sold at the right prices.
The Indian Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Association Limited (TRIFED) is a multi-state cooperative society under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. TRIFED also organizes exhibitions like National Tribal Craft Expo “Adi Mahotsav” and encourages the marketing of tribal products. It provides facilities to tribal artisans so that they can interact directly with art lovers to take stock of market requirements. In the last few years, it has been providing an e-commerce platform to tribal artisans for selling products.
TRIFED has its head office in New Delhi, apart from its head office, it has a network of 13 regional offices at various locations in the country. TRIFED is a national level apex body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.