Being implemented by TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs in association with Ministry of Food Processing (MoFPI), TRIFOOD aims to enhance the income of tribals through better utilization of and value addition to the minor forest produce (MFP)s collected by the tribal forest gatherers. To achieve this, as a start, two MFP processing units will be set up.
Trifood Project
The unit in Raigad, Maharashtra will be used for value addition to mahua, amla, custard apple and jamun and will produce mahua drink, amla juice, candy, jamun juice and custard apple pulp. The multi-commodity processing centre in Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh will be used for the processing of commodities like mahua, amla, honey, cashew, tamarind, ginger, garlic and other fruits and vegetables. These would be made into mahua drink, amla juice, candy, pure honey, ginger-garlic paste and fruit and vegetable pulp. TRIFED, as the nodal agency for the upliftment of the tribals, has been putting in place several initiatives to alleviate their distress in these unprecedented times.
The ‘Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain for MFP’ scheme has already emerged as a beacon of change in these unprecedented times and has positively impacted the tribal ecosystem. Implemented by TRIFED in association with state government agencies across 21 states of the country, the scheme has injected more than Rs 3000 crores directly in the tribal economy so far. This flagship scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which draws its strength from The Forest Rights Act of 2005, aims to provide remunerative and fair prices to tribal gatherers of forest produce.
The Van Dhan Vikas Kendras/ tribal start-ups, also a component of the same scheme, further complements MSP as it has emerged as a source of employment generation for tribal gatherers and forest dwellers and the home-bound tribal artisans. The crux of the programme is that it ensures that the proceeds from the sales of these value-added products go to the tribals directly. The TRIFOOD project aims to converge both the components in its desired merits. In association with MoFPI, the units that will be set up under the scheme for creation of backward and forward linkages under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana, will procure the raw material from the Van Dhan Kendras in the state. The fully processed products will be sold across the country in Tribes India outlets, and franchisee stores. Moreover, TRIFED plans to identify and train tribal entrepreneurs who can also sell the products.
