PARTICIPATION OF TRIBAL WOMEN IN VDVKs

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through TRIFED, is executing two schemes – Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM‑JANMAN) – to boost tribal entrepreneurship and livelihood. A PMJVM VDVK consists of 15 SHGs (20 beneficiaries each) and a PM‑JANMAN VDVK has 5 SHGs (10 beneficiaries each). So far, 4,172 PMJVM VDVKs (12.48 lakh beneficiaries) and 540 PM‑JANMAN VDVKs (0.46 lakh beneficiaries) have been sanctioned across 28 and 18 States/UTs respectively. Training has been imparted to beneficiaries of 2,922 VDVKs (7.13 lakh people) on sustainable MFP collection, processing and marketing. Currently, 3,406 VDVKs are operational, having sold value‑added products worth about Rs 174 crore via local markets, fairs and the Bharat Tribes Fest, thereby enhancing income and entrepreneurship among tribal communities, including women.