Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission and Tribal Economy

Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission and Tribal Economy

#GS-2 #Governance & Social Justice #Vulnerable Sections #Government Policies & Interventions #Issues Related to SCs & STs #GS-3 #Economy #Tribal Livelihoods

Key takeaways

  • The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) empowers India's tribal forest economy by transforming gatherers into value-adding entrepreneurs.
  • Under PMJVM, setting up a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) receives up to ₹15 lakh, while a producer enterprise can get up to ₹64 lakh over three years.
  • Around 10.4 crore Scheduled Tribe individuals live in India, and many derive 20-40% of their annual income from Minor Forest Produce (MFP).
  • As of 31st July 2026, authorities sanctioned 4,172 VDVKs, linking 12.48 lakh tribal members and generating ₹168 crore in sales.

Why in News

  • The government highlighted how the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) strengthens the tribal forest economy across India.
  • The mission organises tribal communities into Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) so gatherers can become active entrepreneurs.

Key Features of PMJVM

  • PMJVM is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs that combines MSP for MFP schemes with tribal product marketing initiatives.
  • The scheme aims to boost tribal livelihoods and entrepreneurship through procurement, processing, value addition, and marketing support.
  • TRIFED acts as the central implementing agency alongside various State Implementing Agencies to execute the mission.
  • The scheme supports MSP-based procurement of Minor Forest Produce, setting up VDVKs, developing producer enterprises, and building marketing infrastructure.
  • Financial assistance includes up to ₹15 lakh for establishing a VDVK and up to ₹64 lakh over three years for enterprise development.
  • The mission gives special attention to Aspirational Districts, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), and Forest Rights Act land-title holders.

Key Provisions Related to Minor Forest Produce

  • The Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 defines Minor Forest Produce to include non-timber items like bamboo, honey, tendu leaves, mahua, and medicinal herbs.
  • The FRA recognizes how forest-dwelling communities depend on natural resources and gives tribal members rights to harvest and sell forest produce.
  • The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) grants ownership rights over Minor Forest Produce directly to tribal Gram Panchayats.
  • The government established Minimum Support Price (MSP) coverage for 87 MFP items under PMJVM to prevent distress sales by tribal gatherers.
  • TRIFED purchases non-timber forest items at predetermined MSP rates through state cooperatives and forest corporations.
  • State governments have procured nearly 2.68 lakh metric tonnes of MFP valued at ₹693.98 crore since 2013-14.
  • India's 10.4 crore Scheduled Tribe population relies heavily on MFP, with many families earning 20-40% of their annual income from it.
  • Tribal gatherers often sell raw produce to middlemen at very low prices, earning far less than fair market value or their physical labour.

How PMJVM Supports Tribal Communities

  • Tribal gatherers form Self Help Groups aggregated into VDVKs, averaging 300 members per Kendra with at least 60% Scheduled Tribe representation.
  • Launched on 14th April 2018, the Van Dhan Yojana provides the main operational framework for VDVKs under PMJVM.
  • The program offers training in scientific harvesting, sustainable collection, packaging, and basic processing, along with necessary equipment.
  • Tribal groups receive financial aid for working capital, cold storage, transport, and processing tools, connected with NSTFDC and banks.
  • TRIFED links VDVKs to weekly markets, e-commerce networks, and corporate partners while providing daily price information.
  • By 31st July 2026, official reports confirmed 4,172 sanctioned VDVKs, with 2,911 functional units empowering 12.48 lakh tribal members and generating ₹168 crore in sales.

VDVKs and Tribal Women Empowerment

  • Tribal women perform most forest collection work, turning VDVKs into key drivers for economic empowerment among women.
  • VDVKs help women process local forest harvests into marketable products such as pickles, powders, jams, and juices.
  • In Arunachal Pradesh, the Nyigamane, Ho Yorbe, Medumhagdum VDVK in Leparada district started in October 2021 with 300 women SHG members.
  • This group generated sales of around ₹11 lakh since 2022-23, helping reduce their dependency on seasonal farming.
  • Women act as joint business owners rather than simple labourers, giving them full control over production, branding, and revenue.

Conclusion

  • The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission transforms India's tribal economy by combining price protection, technical skilling, and enterprise support.
  • By establishing community-owned enterprises, PMJVM advances financial inclusion for women and supports the broader goals of Viksit Bharat@2047.