Officer behind: Arjun Munda lauds Van Dhan Vikas Yojana,

New Delhi: The Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda reviewed the progress of various schemes and activities being implemented for the empowerment of tribals by TRIFED on Tuesday. “It is noteworthy that TRIFED has been consistently bringing out new initiatives that take care of all aspects of tribal empowerment. Through this innovative connect programme, now information dissemination can happen both ways and lead to further development of initiatives and help our tribal brethren,” said Munda praising the efforts put up by TRIFED.

Van Dhan introduced as ‘Tribal Start Ups’ for value addition, branding, packing and marketing of Forest and other tribal produce through tribal gatherers. “Under the Van DhanYojana, the establishment of 37,872 VDVKs have been sanctioned against the Sankalp Patra target of 50,000 VDVKs in the Tribal area, which are subsumed into 2274 VDVK Clusters directly benefitting 6.76 Lakh beneficiaries/ Around 1200 VDVK Clusters are operational. The target of setting up of 50,000 VDVKs incorporating 10 Lakh tribal entrepreneurs has to be completed by 30th July 2021” said Pravir Krishna (IAS), Managing Director TRIFED. “Under Retail Marketing, a total number of 140 Tribes India Outlets have been opened till date that has made a total sale of Rs.55.43 Cr” he added.

Van Dhan Vikas yojana was ideated and initiated by Pravir Krishna only with the idea of improving the livelihoods of the tribal population and bettering the lives of the underprivileged and beleaguered tribals. Krishna had then joined TRIFED as MD.