Lok Sabha Question No. 2332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Promotion of Tribal Products
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Dr. Rani Srikumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2332

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 13.03.2025

## PROMOTION OF TRIBAL PRODUCTS

## †2332. DR. RANI SRIKUMAR:

## DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  specific  measures  to  promote  tribal  products  like  honey  and handicrafts from Nilgiris district, paddy (rice-based products) from Bhandara district and lac from Gondia district  under  initiatives  like  the  One  District  One  Product  (ODOP)  scheme  and  Tribal  Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of funds allocated, disbursed and utilized for marketing and capacity- building initiatives for the said products during the last three years;

(c)  the  number  of  tribal  artisans,  honey  producers,  farmers  and  lac  producers  from  the  said  districts  who have directly benefitted from these initiatives, disaggregated by gender and tribal group;

(d) the steps taken to ensure sustainable harvesting practices and biodiversity conservation while promoting honey and handicraft production; and

(e)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  expand  the  market  reach  of  these  products  through  ecommerce platforms and if so, the timeline drawn and strategy proposed in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a)  to  (d)           Tribal  Cooperative  Marketing  Development  Federation  of  India  Ltd.  (TRIFED)  is  the implementing 'Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission' (PMJVM) scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs for socio-economic development of tribal communities across the country.  Under the scheme, empanelment of tribal  artisan  and  procurement  of  various  tribal  products  from  them  is  a  core  activity  for  generating livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.  To achieve the same, TRIFED undertakes retail marketing of tribal products through TRIBES India Outlets, E-Commerce & Exhibitions. The details of tribal artisans empanelled with TRIFED from Nilgiris, Bhandara and Gondia Districts are as under:

|   Sl. No. | State               | District   |   No. of Empanelled Suppliers/ Producers |   No. of Tribal families associated | Products                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|-----------|---------------------|------------|------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Tamil Nadu          | Nilgiris   |                                        7 |                                  64 | Handicraft items like Coaster, Wall Hanging, Key Chain, Bag, Purse, Pouch, Stole, Shawl, Muffler, Cushion Cover, Table Mat, Runner, Face Mask, Cup, Jar, Plates, Vase, Cap, Woolen Shirts, etc. |
|         2 | MaharashtraBhandara |            |                                        7 |                                 821 | Agarbatti, Saree, Stole, Turmeric, Kurta, Shirt, Tassar Silk Product, Stole, Suit, Duppatta etc.                                                                                                |
|         3 | Maharashtra         | Gondia     |                                        6 |                                1202 | Sun Mask, Candle Stand, Mahua Laddu, Arjun Sal, Mahua Rab, Agarbatti, Tamarind, lac products etc.                                                                                               |

Besides,  under  the  Van  Dhan  Vikas  Kendra  component  of  PMJVM  scheme,  6  VDVKs  with  628 members in Nilgiris district, 4 VDVKs with 1,200 members in Bhandara district, and 10 VDVKs with 3,000 members in Gondia district have been sanctioned. A total of Rs 241.4 lakhs have been sanctioned for these 20  VDVKs  in  aforesaid  districts  of  Tamil  Nadu  and  Maharashtra  respectively  to  support  livelihood activities.

(e)         TRIFED  has  been  promoting  tribal  products  through  its  in-house  domestic  and  international  ecommerce websites.  TRIFED has integrated  its  in-house  brand,  Tribes  India,  into  the  Open  Network  for Digital  Commerce  (ONDC).  Through  buyer  apps  of  ONDC  these  products  are  available  for  purchase  to consumers. Besides, for expanding market reach of these products, TRIFED also plans to list these products on esteemed online marketplaces.

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