Lok Sabha Question No. 4359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-07
Subject: Identification of Products of Tribals
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: SHASHI THAROOR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS) LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4359

TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.01.2019

## IDENTFICATION OF PRODUCTS OF TRIBALS

## 4359.   DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the identification of tribal products was undertaken across 27 states and if so, details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government can list the products identified in Kerala with the name of the tribal group;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether any such products identified in Kerala has been selected for production in this year, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANTSINH BHABHOR)

- (a) Marketing Development Activity: Ministry of Tribal Affairs has not specifically undertaken any exercise for identification  of  tribal  products  across  all  States.  However,  Ministry  of  Tribal  Affairs,  through  its  subordinate organization Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED) has been implementing Scheme namely ' Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce" for promotion and development of tribes. Under this scheme, besides other market development activities, TRIFED has also been involved in Retail Marketing activities, which involve procurement of various tribal products from its empaneled tribal suppliers (i.e., individual tribal artisans, SHGs, Organisations/Agencies working with tribal artisans) located in different States and marketing the same through Retail network of Tribes India Showrooms and exhibitions across the country.

The product categories being dealt by TRIFED are given below:

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

MFP  Development  Activity: In  consultation  with  State  Government  Implementing  Agencies,  Minor  Forest Produce items are identified across the country for inclusion in the scheme of 'Mechanism for marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP'. The Ministry  of  Tribal Affairs,  Government  of  India  has  included  40  MFP  items  under  the  scheme  and  announced Minimum Support Price for the same vide its notification No. 19/17/2018-Livelihood dated  26/12/2018. (b) to (c)  Yes,  Madam.    Under  Marketing  Development  Activity,  the  following  products/produce  are  sourced  from  Kerala: Cardamom, Black Pepper, Cloves, Turmeric, Ginger and Coffee.

Under MFP Development Activity, from the notified list of Minor Forest Produces, the following MFPs are also available in Kerala:

Tamarind (with seeds), Tamarind (De-seeded), Wild Honey, Gum Karaya, Karanj seeds, Myrobalan, Shatavari Roots (Dried), Kalmegh, Marking Nut, Soap Nut, Arjuna Bark, Vaybidding/Vavding (dry seeds) and   Kshirni (Hemidesmus indicus).

The Tribal Groups involved are Irulas, Mudgas and Kurumbhas.

- (d) Does not arise in view of reply to (b) & (c) above.
- (e) Marketing Development Activity: As mentioned above, TRIFED has already been procuring and marketing various items like Cardamon, Black Pepper, Cloves, Turmeric, Ginger and Coffee from the State of Kerala.

MFP Development Activity: MFP Procurement proposal of Kerala State Implementing Agency (Forest Department, Kerala State) for procurement of Wild Honey has been sanctioned by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs for Rs. 79.86 Lakhs and an amount of Rs. 59.74 Lakhs released to state as revolving fund for procurement of wild honey.  For other MFP items, no proposal has been received from State.

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