Lok Sabha Question No. 3261 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-20
Subject: Strategic Partnership between TRIFED and other Institutions
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar, Shri Damodar Agrawal, Dr. Manna Lal Rawat, Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh, Smt. Himadri Singh, Shri Radheshyam Rathiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3261

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 20.03.2025

## STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN TRIFED AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS

## †3261. SHRI RADHESHYAM RATHIYA:

SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR:

SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL:

SMT. HIMADRI SINGH:

DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT:

SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH:

SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the institutes with which the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has entered into collaboration to encourage tribal entrepreneurs and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  specific  performance  indicators  set  to  measure  the  skill  development  of  tribal  artisans  under  the partnership between TRIFED and Rooftop;
- (c)  whether  regular  audits  are  proposed  to  be  conducted  to  assess/ensure  the  effective  implementation  and outcomes of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the  steps  taken  to  ensure  that  the  benefits  of  this  initiative  reach  the  most  marginalized  tribal  artisans, including Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs);
- (e) whether TRIFED has developed any accountability measures to monitor that the tribal artisans are deriving tangible  economic  benefits  from  this  initiative  in  terms  of  skill  development,  employment  generation  and market expansion in the country including Jalgaon, Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) the number of tribal artisans likely to be benefitted from this collaboration and the projected impact on their income and livelihood opportunities; and
- (g)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  scale  up  similar  partnerships  with  other  organizations  to  further enhance the market reach of tribal products and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE  FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a) TRIFED has entered into collaboration with organisations like Tea Trunk, National Education Society for  Tribal  Students ( NESTS), Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Rural Industrialization (MGIRI), Meesho, Indian Federation of Culinary  Association (IFCA), TORAJAMELO Indonesia, Andhra Pradesh Girijan Cooperative

Corporation  Ltd  (APGCC),  Hindustan  Computers  Limited  (HCL)  Foundation,  Reliance  Retail,  Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation Limited (HPMC), National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Rooftop etc to encourage tribal entrepreneurship.

(b) to (f) The MoUs, including with Rooftop have been signed in February, 2025 to support the tribal artisans with following main objectives:

- i. Improving product designs.
- ii. Infusion of technology.
- iii. Enhancement of market access.

These MoUs aim to strengthen and spread the tribal products and promoting their culture in various parts of the country including Jalgaon, Maharashtra. These collaborations aim to provide wider market access through their online and offline platforms and assist in sustainable livelihoods to all sections including PVTGs. The initiatives will drive entrepreneurship, skill development, and global recognition of tribal craftsmanship.

(g)  On  receipt  of  specific  proposals,  TRIFED  may  scale  up  similar  partnerships  with  other  organizations  to further enhance the market reach of tribal products.

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