(The Gist of PIB) TRIFED exchanges MoU for implementation of MSP for MFP scheme and Van Dhan Yojana

(THE GIST OF PIB) TRIFED exchanges MoU for implementation of MSP for MFP scheme and Van Dhan Yojana

TRIFED has signed a MoU with the administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu for implementation of the MSP (Minimum Support price) for MFP (Minor Forest Produce) scheme and Van Dhan Yojana.

About:

The Scheme’s objective is to provide fair price to MFP gatherers and ensuring sustainable harvesting of MFPs.
The forest dwellers are legally empowered with the ownership and governance of the MFP through Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 and the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Under FRA 2006, MFP includes all non-timber forest produce of plant origin like bamboo, brushwood etc.
Van Dhan Yojana (VDY), a component of the same scheme, is a programme for value addition, branding and marketing of MFPs and has the following features:
It establishes tribal community-owned Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) in predominantly forested tribal districts.
A Kendra shall constitute of 15 tribal SHGs, each comprising of up to 20 gatherers or artisans.
100% Central Government Funded with TRIFED providing Rs. 15 lakhs for each Kendra.
The program addresses tribal problems like possession of land/house with no rights; restrictions in the collection of MFP; exploitation by middlemen, etc.