What happened (announced by Government via PIB)
The Government of India, through the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), is supporting tribal livelihoods based on Minor Forest Produce (MFP) by combining Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement with community-level value addition and market access. PMJVM organizes Scheduled Tribe gatherers into community-owned Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) and provides enterprise support, skilling, primary processing equipment, working capital linkages, and marketing support through offline and digital channels.
Key reported coverage figures under PMJVM include:
Up to 4,172 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) have been sanctioned, with 12.48 lakh tribal members linked to the mission. Reported sales are about Rs. 168 crore as on July 31, 2026, and 2,911 VDVKs are reported functional.
Background and earlier position: why tribal MFP incomes remained low
The Government’s background states that many Scheduled Tribes in India derive 20% to 40% of their annual income from MFP. Historically, tribal collectors often sold MFP to middlemen at distress prices, which reduced the share of value that goes to tribal labour and effort.
Related current affairs
- TRIFED implements PMJVM and PM-JANMAN via VDVKs to strengthen tribal entrepreneurship and livelihoods (incl. women)
- TRIFED’s PMJVM and VDVK activities supporting income of tribal producers in Tripura
- Government supports livelihood for Irula PVTGs through PM-JANMAN and TRIFED VDVKs in Tamil Nadu
- Setting up Skill Hubs in Tribal Areas through PMJVM and Tribal Development Initiatives
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs supports Tribal Research Institutes to preserve and promote Scheduled Tribes’ culture, languages and traditional rights
- Odisha forms panel to examine relocation of villages from Satkosia Tiger Reserve