- Union tribal affairs Minister has announced the revision of minimum support price(MSP) framework by 30 to 40% to 50 minor forest produce(MFP).The aim is to enable the tribals dependent on the forest to get a fair price for their produce.MSP is the minimum price set by the Government at which farmers can expect to sell their produce for the season.
- The MSP for MFP scheme was started by the Centre in 2013 to ensure fair and remunerative prices to MFP gatherers.Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is the Nodal Ministry for implementation of the scheme.Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India(TRIFED) acts as the Central Nodal Agency for implementation and monitoring of the scheme through State level implementing agencies.
- Union Minister also announced the expansion of “Van Dhan Scheme” to all tribal districts in the country.This programme promotes enterprise and marketing skills in tribals.The tribals presently get only 20 – 30% of the value chain of the Minor Forest Produces. This situation will change after Van Dhan scheme which aims to take this share to 70 to 80%.
- Besides this, TRIFED has launched the “Friends of Tribes” Scheme for sourcing of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) funds from Public Sector Organisations.They have been requested to fund tribal Entrepreneurship Development Programme through their CSR initiatives.
