TRIFED has strengthened tribal livelihoods in Tripura under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission, with 80 operational Van Dhan Vikas Kendras generating Rs 113.85 lakh in sales while supporting tribal self-help groups, artisans, forest-based enterprises, and sustainable economic development.
Tribal entrepreneurship in Tripura has witnessed significant growth under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) expanding livelihood opportunities across the state. According to the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 80 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) are currently operational in Tripura, enabling tribal self-help groups and forest-based enterprises to generate cumulative sales of value-added products worth Rs 113.85 lakh.
The information was shared in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday by Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Durgadas Uikey while replying to a question regarding the implementation of tribal welfare initiatives across the country. The minister highlighted that TRIFED has been playing a crucial role in improving the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities through a range of livelihood generation programmes under PMJVM.
Uikey informed the House that TRIFED has been implementing the PMJVM scheme nationwide by undertaking activities such as retail marketing, Minimum Support Price (MSP) operations for Minor Forest Produce (MFP), infrastructure development, Van Dhan Vikas Kendra initiatives, and research and development programmes. These interventions are aimed at strengthening tribal livelihoods by promoting value addition, market access, and sustainable income generation.
In Tripura, the impact of these initiatives has been particularly noteworthy. TRIFED has empanelled 470 tribal artisans and suppliers from the state, representing approximately 2,957 tribal families. These artisans have received opportunities to showcase and market their handicrafts, handloom products, natural produce, and processed food items through various national platforms.
The organisation has also conducted Tribal Artisan Empanelment Melas (TAeMs) across the state, helping artisans register with TRIFED and connect with broader markets. In addition, tribal producers from Tripura have participated in renowned exhibitions and fairs such as Aadi Bazaar and Aadi Mahotsav, significantly improving the visibility and market reach of their traditional products.
Providing details on the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, the minister stated that a total of 87 VDVKs have been sanctioned in Tripura. Of these, 57 centres were approved under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission, while another 30 were established under the PM-JANMAN scheme. Together, these centres are designed to benefit 18,666 tribal people across the state.
Among the total beneficiaries, 16,116 are covered under PMJVM, while 2,550 beneficiaries fall under the PM-JANMAN initiative. Out of the 87 sanctioned centres, 80 are currently functional, including all 30 PM-JANMAN VDVKs and 50 PMJVM centres. These operational centres have become important hubs for processing, packaging, branding, and marketing value-added forest produce and other tribal products.
The minister noted that tribal self-help groups associated with these VDVKs have successfully marketed their products through local markets, exhibitions, fairs, and various promotional platforms. Their combined sales have reached Rs 113.85 lakh, reflecting the growing strength of tribal enterprises in the state and the effectiveness of government-supported livelihood programmes.
Apart from enterprise development, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has also strengthened income security for tribal forest gatherers by notifying Minimum Support Price rates for 87 categories of Minor Forest Produce. These MSP rates are applicable across all states and Union Territories, including Tripura, ensuring that tribal collectors receive remunerative prices for forest produce while reducing exploitation by middlemen.
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Officials believe that the integrated approach adopted by TRIFED—combining market linkage, skill development, value addition, infrastructure support, and fair pricing—has created sustainable livelihood opportunities for tribal communities. The continued expansion of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras and stronger market access are expected to further enhance tribal incomes, encourage entrepreneurship, and contribute to the overall socio-economic development of Tripura’s indigenous communities.
