April 30, 2021
Vocational and technical skilling, employment generation, and handicraft diversification are among the focus areas.
The MoU will look to rope in academic and NGO resources in addition to government and non-government resources.
Market expansion and technology infusion into end-to-end processes will be effected by the partnership.
Van Dhan Vikas Yojanas will function as appropriate channels to direct substantial income to the tribal artisans.
The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation Of India Ltd. (TRIFED) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with poverty the alleviation Foundation ‘The Link Fund’ to help increase employment and improve the livelihoods of the tribal population. The MoU will broadly focus on skill development both vocational and technological, value addition for products, employment generation, and the diversification of existing capabilities in handicraft production. Partnerships with NGOs and academia are on the anvil to help accelerate progress on the objectives of the MoU. Sh Pravir Krishna, Managing Director of TRIFED remarked on the development “All our efforts, be it in getting better prices for their produce, helping them add value to the basic produce, or enable them to get access to larger markets, or collaborations such as these are targeted at achieving this. We are happy to collaborate with the LINK Fund to provide the latest and best support to the tribals of India.” Van Dhan Vikas Kendras are also expected to be involved in the project so as to ensure that tribal artisans directly receive the benefits from the sale of minor forest products.
According to the NITI Aayog, the tribal economy currently consists of activities in handicraft production, animal husbandry, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and industrial labour. The subsistence-based format of the economic activity was mostly complemented by the barter system with the exception of festive seasons wherein trade facilitated. The limited scope of manufacturing and trade coupled with market inaccessibility and minimal returns posed threats to the success of the tribal market ecosystem. Tribal handicrafts both utilitarian and decorative have emerged as a promising avenue for business with diverse tribal communities specializing in a wide variety of crafts. Equipping artisans and manufacturers with the appropriate technological solutions can make the tribal market more competitive. In the past, NGOs have leveraged the creative potential of tribal artisans through technology and improved value chain setups. Initiatives like the TRIFED – Link Fund collaboration can help elevate the reach and the competitiveness of the tribal market ecosystem in India.