The Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey informed the Rajya Sabha today that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through TRIFED, is implementing two schemes, namely Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN), to strengthen entrepreneurship initiatives and facilitate livelihood opportunities for tribal men and women through more efficient, equitable and self-managed use of natural resources, MFPs, and farm & non-farm tribal product-based enterprises. A typical PMJVM VDVK comprises 15 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with 20 beneficiaries each, while a PM-JANMAN VDVK comprises 5 SHGs with 10 beneficiaries each. Under the PMJVM scheme, 4,172 VDVKs associating 12.48 lakh beneficiaries, including tribal women beneficiaries, have been sanctioned in 28 States/UTs. Under the PM-JANMAN scheme, 540 VDVKs associating 0.46 lakh beneficiaries, including tribal women beneficiaries, have been sanctioned in 18 States/UTs. Out of these, the beneficiaries of 2,922 VDVKs, covering 7.13 lakh beneficiaries (including both men and women), have been imparted training in sustainable collection of Minor Forest Produce (MFP), agricultural produce and allied livelihood activities, primary processing, value addition, packaging, branding, and marketing of products, thereby strengthening their skills and market linkages. Moreover, 3,406 VDVKs are operational and have collectively sold value-added products worth approximately Rs. 174 crore through local markets, fairs (melas) and the Bharat Tribes Fest (BTF), thereby enhancing income generation, promoting sustainable livelihoods and fostering entrepreneurship among tribal communities, including tribal women.

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