Expansion of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras under PMJVM

Expansion of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras under PMJVM

Under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), 4,172 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) have been approved across the country. The initiative aims to strengthen the livelihoods and income opportunities of tribal communities by connecting them with value addition and market opportunities for Minor Forest Produce (MFP).Through these centres, around 12.48 lakh tribal members have been connected with activities related to the processing, value addition and marketing of minor forest produce. This is particularly important for tribal communities whose livelihoods are closely linked to forest-based resources.

Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM)

¨     Launch: Initiated by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in 2021–22 as an umbrella scheme. It was formed by integrating mechanisms for marketing Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP), developing value chains for MFP, and providing institutional support for the development and marketing of tribal products.

¨     Nodal Agency: Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), which implements the scheme either directly or through state implementing agencies.

¨     Objective: To strengthen tribal livelihoods and entrepreneurship through value addition and market linkages by promoting the efficient, equitable, and self-managed utilization of Minor Forest Produce (MFP), as well as agricultural and non-agricultural products.

¨     Core Vision: The mission organizes tribal gatherers into community-owned Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), enabling them to move beyond selling raw produce to manufacturing and selling value-added, marketable products.

Key Features of PMJVM

¨     Minor Forest Produce and MSP Support: Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, Minor Forest Produce (MFP) includes non-timber forest products of plant origin, such as bamboo, cane, honey, wax, lac, tendu leaves, medicinal plants, herbs, roots, and tubers. The government has notified MSPs for 87 MFP items. TRIFED procures MFP at pre-determined MSPs through state implementing agencies. Since 2013–14, 2,67,954 metric tonnes of MFP worth ₹693.98 crore have been procured.

¨     Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs): Van Dhan Vikas Kendras organize tribal gatherers into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to facilitate collection, primary processing, and value addition. Typically, a cluster comprises 15 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and approximately 300 members, with at least 60% of the members belonging to Scheduled Tribes (STs).

¨     The Van Dhan Yojana, launched in 2018, forms the foundation of this model. It enables communities to transform locally available produce into value-added and marketable products.

¨     Skill, Infrastructure, and Enterprise Support: Under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), training is provided in scientific methods of collection, processing, value addition, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, facilities such as dryers, decorticators, cutting and sorting tools, and packaging equipment are made available.

¨     It also provides facilities for working capital, storage, and transportation, while offering support to Van Dhan Vikas Kendras and Van Dhan Producer Enterprises (VDPEs).

¨     Market and Digital Connectivity: Van Dhan Vikas Kendras have been linked to over 5,000 haat markets (local tribal markets) in tribal areas. These markets are being modernized with amenities such as storage, weighing facilities, drinking water, shaded areas, and permanent structures.

¨     TRIFED provides market intelligence and e-commerce opportunities. The PMJVM also promotes branding, exhibitions, Geographical Indication (GI) tagging, geo-tagging, IT and e-commerce platforms, as well as research and development (R&D).

Need and Significance

¨     Livelihood Security: Minor Forest Produce (MFP) accounts for approximately 20–40% of the annual income of many Scheduled Tribe families. Therefore, the PMJVM plays a crucial role in strengthening and diversifying tribal livelihoods.

¨     Value Addition and Fair Remuneration: It enables communities to shift towards processing, branding, and marketing instead of merely selling raw produce, while the Minimum Support Price (MSP) ensures price security.

¨     Community Ownership and Women Empowerment: It fosters collective enterprises in which tribal communities—particularly women—participate as producers, entrepreneurs, and owners. •        For example, the Nyigamane, Ho Yorbe, Medumhagdum Van Dhan Vikas Kendra in Arunachal Pradesh involves 300 women Self-Help Group members and farmers, and has sold products worth ₹11 lakh since 2022–23.

¨     Sustainable Forest Economy: This integrates traditional knowledge and locally available resources with modern technology, processing, and market access, while promoting sustainable harvesting.

¨     Inclusive Development: Strengthening tribal livelihoods, entrepreneurship, and market participation supports inclusive development and the broader vision of a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047.