Lok Sabha Question No. 348 (STARRED), answered on 2017-03-27
Subject: Facilities to Tribals
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: JITENDRA CHAUDHURY, HARISH CHANDRA MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *348

TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.03.2017

## FACILITIES TO TRIBALS

*348:      SHRI JITENDRA CHAUDHURY: SHRI HARISH MEENA:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIR be pleased to state:

- (a) whether adequate steps have been taken for the welfare and protection of tribals in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether in the absence of adequate banking facilities, the tribals are coerced to depend mainly on money lenders and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether a large number of tribals are engaged in cultivation and most of them are landless and practise shifting cultivation and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to help them in adopting modern technology/methods of cultivation; and
- (e) the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  help  the  unemployed  and  the underemployed tribals in finding secondary sources of earning?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JUAL ORAM)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid down on the Table of the House.

## Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. *348 for 27.03.2017 regarding 'Facilities to Tribals'

- (a): The  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  being  the  nodal  Ministry  for  overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes for development of Scheduled Tribes administers various schemes for their welfare.  The details are given in Annex-I.
- (b): The  National  Scheduled  Tribes  Finance  and  Development  Corporation (NSTFDC), under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is an apex organization set up exclusively  for  economic  development  of  Scheduled  Tribes.  NSTFDC  was incorporated  as  a  Govt  Company  and  granted  license,  not  for  profit,  under Section 25 of the Companies Act, 1956 (now Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013).

NSTFDC extends financial assistance at concessional rates of interest to Scheduled Tribes for undertaking income generation activities.  NSTFDC financial  assistance  is  provided  through  State  Channelizing  Agencies,  certain Public  Sector/  Co-op  Banks,  Regional  Rural  Banks  and  National  Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi) having refinance agreement with NSTFDC.

- (c): As per Census 2011 the population of the Scheduled Tribes in the country is 10.45 crore, constituting 8.6% of the total population of the country.  Further, as per the National Sample Survey (NSS) Report No.571: Household Ownership and Operational Holdings in India, the highest percentage of Scheduled Tribes Households  belong  to  the  category  of  self-employed  in  cultivation  (50.95%). Majority of the Scheduled Tribes Households belong to the marginal category of land  holdings.    This  factor  along  with  the  fact  that  the  Scheduled  Tribes population is largely located in remote and difficult terrain leads them to practice shifting cultivation.
- (d): The Ministry has come out with various interventions to help Tribals in adopting modern technology/ methods of cultivation. Funds are allocated under Article 275(1) of the Constitution to help tribals in adopting modern technology/methods  of  cultivation.  During  2016-17,  grants  were  sanctioned  to various State Governments for the use of drip irrigation, other modern techniques in water conservation, promotion  of  millets, farm  mechanization,  vertical cropping system, setting up nurseries of fruits, flowers and vegetables including Polyhouse and greenhouse farming, etc.

The  Tribal  Cooperative  Marketing  Development  Federation  of  India Limited  (TRIFED)  has  been  undertaking  training  to  the  tribals  by  introducing good  and  scientific  practices  of  cultivation,  collection,  storage,  processing,  etc for Minor Forest Produce, which can facilitate incremental income to the tribals.

- (e): During 2016-17, grants were sanctioned under Article 275(1) to various State  Governments  for  skill  development  and  self-employment  of  the  STs  through various  income  generating  schemes  such  as  Quality  Skill  Training  Programme  in different  fields  like  office  management,  mushroom  cultivation,  motor  driving,  solar technician, beautician & skin care training, handicraft, boutique development, electrician,  mobile  repairing,  horticulture,  fisheries,  poultry,  pig  rearing,  goat  rearing, milk cans, modern testing lab equipment for  dairy and automatic milk collection units, computer  training,  Plastics  Engineering  and  Technology  through  CIPET,  security  & surveillance,  automobile  mechanic,  driver  heavy  equipment  operation,  apparel  & garment, pashmina, construction through ATDC, AC/ refrigerator repair & maintenance, CC-TV installation, hospitality & retail sector, tourist guide etc.

The NSTFDC implements following schemes for self-employment of Scheduled Tribes who are unemployed or underemployed:

-  Term Loan scheme: NSTFDC provides Term Loan for any income generation scheme costing upto Rs 25.00 lakhs per unit. The financial assistance is extended upto 90% of the cost of the scheme and the balance is met by way of subsidy/ promoter's contribution/ margin money. The interest rate chargeable is 6% p.a. for loan upto Rs 5 lakhs, 8% p.a. for loans ranging between Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 10 lakhs and 10% p.a. for loan exceeding Rs 10 lakhs on the entire amount of loan.
-  Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana (AMSY): Under the scheme, Scheduled  Tribes  women  can  undertake  any  income  generation  activity.  Loans  upto 90% for scheme costing upto Rs 1 lakh are provided at a concessional rate of interest of 4% p.a.
-  Micro Credit Scheme for Self Help Groups :  The Corporation provides loans upto Rs 50,000/- per member and Rs 5 Lakhs per Self Help Group (SHG). The interest rate chargeable is 6% p.a.
-  Adivasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana : Under this scheme, financial assistance upto Rs 5.00 lakh at concessional rate of interest of 6% per annum is provided to ST students for pursuing professional/ technical education including Ph D in India. Ministry of Human Resources Development, Government of India provides interest subsidy for this scheme, whereby, no interest is payable by a student during the course period and one year or six months after getting the job, as the case may be. There is also a provision for providing further  concessional  finance  for  undertaking  any  income  generation  activity  after completion of studies.
-  Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme : Under the scheme, NSTFDC provides  financial  assistance  to  Scheduled  Tribes  given  land  rights  under  Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Loan upto 90% of the scheme costing upto Rs 1 lakh can be provided at interest rate of 6% p.a.

TRIFED  has  been  implementing  Schemes  of  (a)  'Marketing  development  of  tribal products' under Grant-in-Aid Scheme and (b) 'Mechanism for marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and development of Value Chain for  MFP  Scheme'  of  the  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs  to  promote  marketing  of  tribal products of the tribal communities of the country for their socio-economic development. The details of the various activities is given at Annex-II .

## Statement in reply to part (a) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.*348 for 27.03.2017 regarding  'Facilities  to  Tribals'  by  Shri  Jitendra  Chaudhury  and  Shri  Harish Meena

1. Under  the  programme  of  Grants  under  Article  275(1)  of  the  Constitution  of India, block grants are released to 27 States depending on the felt needs of ST population  to  bridge  the  gap  in  sectors  like  education,  health,  agriculture  and other income generating schemes etc. Grants are also sanctioned for setting up of Eklavya  Model  Residential  Schools  (EMRSs)  for  quality  education  of  ST students under this programme.
2. The various other schemes administered by the Ministry are as under:
3. (i) Special Central Assistance to Tribal Sub-Plan (SCA to TSP): Under the programme, funds are released to 23 States for development and welfare of tribal people. Funds are released to States based on proposals received from the States Governments depending on the felt needs of ST population to bridge the gap in infrastructure  activities in sectors like education, health and agriculture, Skill Development, Employment-cum-Income Generation etc.
4. (ii) Scheme of Girls & Boys Hostels for STs: Under the scheme, Central assistance  is  given  to  States/UTs/Universities  for  construction  of  new  hostel buildings and/or extension of existing hostels. State Governments are eligible for 100% central share for construction of all Girls' hostel and also for construction of Boys' hostel in naxal affected areas (identified by Ministry of Home Affairs from  time  to  time).  The  funding  pattern  for  the  other  Boys'  Hostel  to  State Governments is on 50:50 basis. In case of UTs, the Central Government bears the entire cost of construction of both Boys' and Girls' hostels.
5. (iii) Scheme of Ashram Schools in Tribal Sub-Plan Area: The objective of the scheme is to provide residential schools for STs in an environment conducive to  learning  to  increase  the  literacy  rate  among  the  tribal  students  and  to  bring them at par with others.  State Governments are eligible for 100% central share for construction of all Girls' Ashram Schools and also for construction of Boys' Ashram Schools in naxal affected areas (identified by Ministry of Home Affairs from time to time). The funding pattern for the other Boys' Ashram Schools is on 50:50 basis, while cent percent assistance is given to UTs for construction of both  Girls  and  Boys'  Ashram  Schools.  The  scheme  covers  primary,  middle, secondary and senior secondary level of education.
6. (iv) Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme (PMS): The objective of the scheme is to provide  financial  assistance  to  the  Scheduled  Tribe  students  studying  at  postmatriculation or post-secondary levels to enable them to complete their education.

(v) Book  Bank: Many  ST  students  selected  in  professional  courses  find  it difficult to continue their education for want of books on their subjects as they are expensive.  In order to reduce dropout rate of ST students from professional institutes/universities,  funds  are  provided  for  purchase  of  books  under  this scheme.

(vi) National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Higher Studies Abroad: The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to students selected for pursuing  higher  studies  abroad  for  Post-Graduation,  Ph.D.  and  Post-Doctoral research  programmes  and  to  increase  their  employability  for  socio-economic development.

(vii) National Fellowship for ST Students :  The objective of the scheme is to provide fellowships in the form fof financial assistance to students belonging to the Scheduled Tribes to pursue higher studies such as M.Phil. and Ph.D.

(viii) Top Class Education for ST Students: The objective of the scheme is to encourage meritorious ST students for pursuing studies at degree and post degree level in any of the selected list of institutes, in which the scholarship scheme is operative.

(ix) Pre-Matric Scholarship for needy ST Students studying in Classes IX and X: The objectives of the scheme are to: (i) support parents of ST students for education of their wards studying in Classes IX and X so that the incidence of dropout,  especially  in  transition  from  the  elementary  to  secondary  and  during secondary stage of education, is minimized; and (ii) improve participation of ST students in Classes IX and X of Pre-Matric stage, so that they perform well and have a better chance of progressing to Post-Matric stages of education.

(x) Scheme of Vocational Training in Tribal Areas: The scheme covers all the States and Union Territories.  Each Vocational Training Centre (VTC) under the scheme may cater to five vocational courses in traditional skills depending upon the employment potential of the area.  Keeping in view the limited potential of even skilled persons in interior areas, each ST boy/girl in trained in two trades in his/her choice, the course in each trade being for duration of three months.  Each trainee is to be attached at the end of six months to a master craftsman in a semiurban/urban area for a period of six months, to learn his/her skills by practical experience.

(xi) Grant-in-aid  to  Voluntary  Organizations  working  for  the  Welfare  of Scheduled Tribes: The Scheme was launched in 1953-54 and was last revised w.e.f.  1 st April  2008.          The  prime  objective  of  the  scheme  is  to  enhance  the reach  of  welfare  schemes  of  Government  and  fill  the  gaps  in  service  deficient tribal  areas,  in  the  sectors  such  as  education,  health,  drinking  water,  agrohorticultural productivity, social security net etc. through the efforts of voluntary organizations, and to provide favourable environment for socio-economic upliftment and overall development of the Scheduled Tribes (STs).  Any other innovative activity having direct positive impact on the socio-economic development  or  livelihood  generation  of  STs  may  also  be  considered  through voluntary  efforts.    The  scheme  is  Central  Sector  Scheme.    The  grants  are provided to the non-governmental organizations on application, in a prescribed format, duly recommended by the multi-disciplinary State Level Committee of the concerned State Government/UT  Administration. Funds are generally provided to the extent of 90% by the Government.  The voluntary organization is expected to bear the remaining 10% balance from its own resources.

(xii) Strengthening  Education  of    ST  Girls  in  low  Literacy  Districts: The scheme  aims  to  bridge  the  gap  in  literacy  levels  between  the  general  female population and tribal women,  in  the identified districts or blocks,  more particularly  in  naxal  affected  areas  and  in  areas  inhabited  by  Particularly Vulnerable  Tribal  Groups  (PVTGs),  by  creating  the  required  ambience  for education for ST girls.  The scheme lays emphasis on providing hostel facilities to  enable  the  ST  girls  to  attend  regular  schools  and  wherever  schools  are  not available  within  5  kilometer  distance,  both  schooling  and  hostel  facilities  are provided.

(xiii) Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): The scheme covers 75 identified Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups and enables every  State  to  focus  on  developmental  activity  for  PVTGs  viz.,  housing,  land distribution, land development, agricultural growth, cattle development, connectivity,  installation  of  non-conventional  sources  of  energy  for  lighting purpose, social security or any other innovative activity meant for the comprehensive  socio-economic development of PVTGs.

Statement in reply to part (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.*348 for 27.03.2017 regarding  'Facilities  to  Tribals'  by  Shri  Jitendra  Chaudhury  and  Shri  Harish Meena

## A. Retail Marketing Development Activity:

TRIFED has been marketing tribal products through its own shops called 'Tribes India' & through the outlets of the state emporia on consignment basis.  TRIFED started with the single Tribes India Outlet in New Delhi in the year 1999 and as on 20.03.2017, it has 3 own outlets and 13 outlets on consignment basis located all over India.  TRIFED is striving to provide economic benefits to a large number of this unorganized section of the Society.

## 1 Sourcing:

TRIFED  has  developed  a  system  of  sourcing  products  made  by  empanelled  tribal suppliers. The suppliers comprise of individual tribal artisans, tribal SHGs, Organizations/ Agencies/ NGOs working with tribals, who are empanelled as suppliers of  TRIFED as per the guidelines for empanelment of suppliers, which is available on TRIFED  website  i.e.,  www.tribesindia.com.  This  is  a  onetime  process  and  once  the supplier is empanelled with any of Regional Offices of TRIFED, the samples collected from the supplier are forwarded to Purchase and Pricing Committee at Head Office for approval. After the product is approved, indents are placed by the Regional Offices for supply of the same.

## 2 Product Categories:

-  Metal Craft
-  Tribal Textiles
-  Tribal Jewellery
-  Tribal painting
-  Cane & Bamboo
-  Terracotta & Stone Pottery
-  Gift and Novelties &
-  Organic and Natural Food Products

## 3 Networking with State Level Organization/ Agencies working with tribals:

TRIFED has  already  initiated  this  exercise  and  made  institutional  arrangements  with handicraft development organizations in North East, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, NEHHDC, JHARCRAFT etc for sourcing of various tribal products.  The networking with other Govt. Departments/Agencies engaged in Capacity building of tribal groups of Handicrafts  is  being  further  expanded  so  that  access  to  tribal  areas  can  be  increased. Emphasis  is  laid  on  convergence  with  like-minded  Agencies,  seeking  alliances  and forging partnerships for optimization of resources.

## 4. Organizing Tribal artisan Mela (TAM)

In  order to increase the  number of tribal suppliers and associate them with our Retail Operation, TRIFED has initiated a concept of organizing Tribal Artisan Mela (TAM) at District/  Tehsil  level  as  an  exercise  to  reach  tribals  located  interior  tribal  areas  and source  tribal  art  and  craft  directly  from  the  tribal  from  the  tribal  artisans/group  of artisans.  Under  this  initiative,  TRIFED  in  association  with  State  Govt/  Organisations invites Tribal Artisans to an exhibition area where they display their art and craft items. TRIFED depute its merchandising team to these Melas to identify the new artisans and new products which can be marketed through its outlets. This initiative not only helps in sourcing  tribal  art  and  craft  in  its  original  form  but  also  helps  in  spreading  message about  TRIFED's  activities  and  ways  and  means  for  a  tribal  to  avail  the  benefits  of TRIFED's activities.

## 5 Sale:

TRIFED's efforts for market development of tribal products envisage enhancing income of tribals by way of providing marketing support for the various products they produce. TRIFED markets these tribal products through its Outlets and exhibitions. The idea is to provide opportunities to the tribal artisans to market their products on a sustained basis.

## 6 Exhibitions:

TRIFED  has  also  been  organizing  and  participating  in  exhibitions  marketing  and promotion of tribal products, the brief of which are given below:

- o 'Aadishilp' -  TRIFED  has  been  organizing  National  Tribal  Craft  Expo  by  the name of Aadishilp, in which individual tribal artisans, tribal SHGs, Agencies/Organizations working with tribals are invited to participate and showcase their rich tribal heritage. The main objective in holding these events is to provide an opportunity  to  tribal  artisans  to  interact  directly  with  art  lovers  for  getting  their feedback  about  their  taste  and  preferences,  which  helps  them  in  modifying  their product designs and creations accordingly. The event also at times includes tribal dance performances, which is an attempt to present tribal art and culture in holistic manner.
- o ' Aadichitra' - TRIFED has started an exhibition by the name of Aadichitra since 2010, in which tribal paintings only like Gond from Madhya Pradesh, Saora from Orissa, Warli from Maharashtra and Pithora paintings from Gujarat, are exclusively displayed  and  sold.  The  tribal  artists  are  also  invited  to  demonstrate  their  skills during  such  exhibitions.    The  Aadichitra  events  receive  appreciations  from  all quarters.
- o OCTAVE -  TRIFED also participates in the OCTAVE - a dance festival of North Eastern  Region.  TRIFED  is  associated  with  this  event  since  2008-09.  TRIFED organizes participation of artisan from North Eastern region and provide them the opportunity to showcase and market their products.
- o TRIFED participates in various exhibitions all over the country for marketing and promotion  tribal products.
- o TRIFED  participates in international exhibitions/trade fairs through Export Promotion Council For Handicrafts (EPCH) and India Trade Promotion Organization  (ITPO)  in  various  countries  for  display  and  sale  of  tribal  products sourced from tribal artisans.

## B. Handicraft Skill Development Activity:

TRIFED  had/has  been  undertaking  handicraft  development  trainings  for  tribal artisans in 5 modules which are as under:

-  Primary Level Training (PLT) - Aimed for fresh batch of 20 tribal artisans in which training on basic techniques of craft imparted to equip them for producing the craft. The duration of the program is 3 months. This training module was in operation up to 2012-13.
-  Advance Level Training (ALT) -  This training was meant for those tribal artisans who perform  well  in  the  PLT  and  show  potential  of  becoming  craftsperson  of  a better  quality,  whose  craftsmanship  was  honed  by  design  and  technology  inputs through  a  Reinforcement  Training  for  15  artisans  for  a  period  of  45  days.  This training program  has  been  discontinued  since  2014-15  after  introduction  of Comprehensive Training Program (CTP) in 2013-14.
-  Comprehensive Training Program in Handicraft (CTP) - Revision of the Training programs was undertaken during the  year 2013-14 and a new module of training program was inducted by merging the above two training programs, which aimed at honing the skill of the semi-skilled tribal artisans to capacitate them for manufacturing  quality  craft  items  to  be  competitive  in  the  market.  This  training program  is  for  a  Batch  of  20  trainees  with  duration  of  90  days  with  a  view  to upgrade their skill through design and technical inputs to enhance the marketability of their handicraft products and empower them for entrepreneurship development.
-  Design  Workshop  Training  (DWT)  for  a  Batch  of  20  Artisans,  who  are  already supplier to TRIFED, in 21 days  with a view to hone their skill through design input on  the  basis  of  the  Market  feedback  to  enhance  the  quality  and  marketability  of their products.
-  Training of Trainers (ToT) which aims at creating a pool of Master Craftsperson out of  those  expert  artisans,  who will carry the craft  and technology to those artisans whose skill need upgradation. The duration and the batch size vary as per the nature of the craft and availability of training resource.
-  Besides  above,  TRIFED  has  initiated  a  new  concept  of  Product  development programmes  (PDPs)  during  the  financial  year  2016-17  for  development  of  new products from the empanelled tribal artisans and artisans trained by TRIFED.

## C.       MFP Development  Activities:

## The MFP development activities of TRIFED included followings:

1. MFP Development training activities: TRIFED acts as a facilitator and

service provider  for  marketing  development  of  MFPs.  TRIFED  within  the  given budget and mandate empowers the tribal beneficiaries by improving their skill so  that  they  can  improve  their  income.  TRIFED,  as  part  of  its  marketing development activities for minor forest produce is engaged in skill up gradation and capacity building of MFP gatherers with the objective of improving their income by way of organizing training on non-destructive harvesting, primary processing, value addition and marketing of selected MFPs like Mahua Flower, Lac, Donna Pattal, Hill Grass, Tamarind, Amla, Honey, Gum Karaya, Bamboo. The training process includes imparting training to beneficiaries about scientific collection, harvesting, storage, grading techniques etc. so that beneficiaries are able to harvest higher quantities and better quality items on sustainable  basis  in  an  eco  friendly  manner,  conversion  of  the  produce  into marketable  products  and  providing  them  with  simple  tool  kits  to  undertake production  also  wherever  required.  Inputs  are  also  provided  for  developing marketing linkages.

2. Implementation  of  Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP)  for  Minor  Forest Produce (MFP): The Government of India through Ministry of Tribal Affairs has  launched  a  new  scheme  called 'Mechanism  for  marketing  of  Minor Forest  Produce  (MFP)  through  Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP)  and development of Value Chain for MFP' during 2013-14 to ensure fair returns to the forest dwellers for the produce collected by them from the forests.   The Scheme has been designed as a social safety net for improvement of livelihood of MFP gatherers by providing them fair price for the MFPs they collect.  The Scheme  envisages  providing  Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP)  for  the  selected MFPs based on the recommendation of Pricing Cell and declaration of MSP for selected MFPs by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.  Procurement operation at the notified MSP is undertaken by the designated State Implementing Agencies.  As per the Scheme, the Central Government provides funds to the State Agencies for  procuring  MFPs  and  for  developing  necessary  infrastructure  in  initial  two years  and  also  share  losses,  if  any,  in  the  ratio  of  75:25.      The  Scheme  also addresses  other  medium  &  long  term  issues  like  sustainable  collection,  value addition,  market  infrastructure  development,  knowledge  base  expansion  of MFPs, market intelligence development, strengthening the bargaining power of Gram Sabha/ Panchayat through appropriate mechanisms.

The total budget outlay of the scheme is Rs 967.28 crore for the period 2013-17. Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India is the Nodal and Administrative  Ministry  for  operationalizing  the  scheme. TRIFED has  been entrusted  with  the  responsibility  of  implementing  the  scheme  through  State agencies. Other details of the scheme are as follows:-

- 2.1 Fixation  of  Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP)  : On the  recommendation  of Pricing Cell constituted for fixation of MSP, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India announces the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for different MFPs :

## (i) Mechanism:

-  Fixation of MSP for the selected MFPs by Ministry of Tribal Affairs based on the recommendation of a Pricing Cell.
-  Procurement and marketing operation by State procurement agencies at the pre fixed MSP for which 'Revolving Fund' is provided by Government of India.
-  Creation  of  infrastructural  facilities  by  State  Agencies  with  the  financial support from Govt. of India.
-  Reimbursement of losses if any to State Agencies to the extent of 75% by Government of India.
-  Govt. of India provides 75% of the financial support to State Agencies for different activities under the scheme.

## (ii) Minimum Support Price declared :

- a) Minimum  Support  Price  (MSP)  upto  30/10/2016  applicable  to  PESA  States (Except  HP)  namely  Andhra  Pradesh,  Telangana,  Gujarat,  Jharkhand,  Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra , Odisha and Rajasthan

| Sl No.   | MFP Items                 | Price per kg in Rs.   |
|----------|---------------------------|-----------------------|
| 01.      | Tamarind (With seed)      | 22/-                  |
| 02.      | Honey                     | 132/-                 |
| 03.      | Gum Karaya                | 108/-                 |
| 04.      | Karanj Seed               | 21/-                  |
| 05.      | Sal Seed                  | 10/-.                 |
| 06.      | Mahuwa Seed               | 22/-                  |
| 07.      | Sal Leaves                | 21/-                  |
| 08.      | Chironjee Pods with seeds | 100/-                 |
| 09.      | Myrobalan                 | 11/-                  |
| 10.      | Lac                       | Lac                   |
| (a)      | Rangeeni                  | 230/-                 |
| (b)      | Kusumi                    | 320/-                 |

## b)        Minimum Support Price (MSP) applicable to all states w.e.f. 31.10.2016

| Sl No.   | MFP Items                 | Price per kg in Rs.   |
|----------|---------------------------|-----------------------|
| 01.      | Tamarind (With seed)      | 18/-                  |
| 02.      | Honey                     | 150/-                 |
| 03.      | Gum Karaya                | 108/-                 |
| 04.      | Karanj Seed               | 18/-                  |
| 05.      | Sal Seed                  | 10/-.                 |
| 06.      | Mahuwa Seed               | 20/-                  |
| 07.      | Sal Leaves                | 21/-                  |
| 08.      | Chironjee Pods with seeds | 60/-                  |
| 09.      | Myrobalan                 | 8/-                   |
| 10.      | Lac                       | Lac                   |
| (a)      | Rangeeni                  | 100/-                 |
| (b)      | Kusumi                    | 150/-                 |

|   11 | Kusum Seed                  | 10/-   |
|------|-----------------------------|--------|
|   12 | Neem Seed                   | 12/-   |
|   13 | Puwad Seed/Chakramard       | 8/-    |
|   14 | Baheda                      | 15/-   |
|   15 | Hill Broom Grass            | 10/-   |
|   16 | Shikakai                    | 30/-   |
|   17 | Guggul(exduate)             | 700/-  |
|   18 | Bael (dried &without crust) | 15/-   |
|   19 | Nagarmotha                  | 25/-   |
|   20 | Palash/Keshu Flower         | 8/-    |
|   21 | Shatavari(dried)            | 40/-   |
|   22 | Madhunashini                | 35/-   |
|   23 | Kalmegh                     | 15/-   |
|   24 | Tamarind (de-seeded)        | 40/-   |

N.B.: Items  number  11  to  24  have  been  added  in  MSP  list  w.e.f. 31/10/2016

- D.     Research and Development: R&D initiatives are long term investments and are undertaken  to  find  new  uses  so  that  markets  for  MFPs  expands.  The  main objective  for  initiation  of  the  R&D  project  on  NTFPs  by  TRIFED  is  Research and  development  of  an  innovative  low  cost  process/  technology  for  optimum utilization of the available NTFPs; development of tools, implements, methodologies, processes etc. which result in increased harvesting and collection of Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFPs) on a sustainable basis; development of appropriate  technologies  for  post  harvest  management  of  NTFPs  concerning sorting, grading, cleaning, dusting, scientific storage, preliminary primary level processing  for  increasing  shelf  life  /value  addition,  reducing  wastage  etc. TRIFED has also been doing R&D activities on MFPs to develop value added products, innovative process & cost effective technology which will benefit the tribals  by  way  of  higher  income  earning,  entrepreneurship  development  etc.  in the  tribal  arrears.    The  products,  processes  developed  through  R&D  are  being patented  and  demonstrated  to  enable  the  tribal people  having  intellectual Property Rights of the invented products.

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