TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited)

It is a statutory body setup in 1987 and is under the administrative control of Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It draws its power majorly from Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.

• The primary objective of the body is to provide good price to the products made or collected by the forest dwellers/tribals. This it does via performing two activities which are -

(i) Minor Forest Produces(MFP) Development

• MFP Development via proper enlisting and suggesting products under MFP.
• Ensuring Minimum Support Price for MFPs.
• Research and Development of MFPs.

(ii) Retail Marketing Development

• Retail Marketing Development via ensuring proper infrastructural and procedural reach.
• Imparting Handicraft / Handloom development training to MFP gatherers or Tribals.
• TRIFED is implementing various schemes like Van Dhan Yojana, Scheme for ‘Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP”, etc.

Conclusion

It is ironical that despite a large number of well-meaning constitutional provisions and laws aimed at protecting and safeguarding the welfare and interest of the tribal communities, the process of marginalization of the tribals has gone on unabated. Paradoxically, at the root of such marginalization are the laws themselves, for e.g. clash between Forest Rights Act, 2006 provision v/s conservation of forest issue resulting into widespread protest.

“Van Dhan, Jan Dhan and Govardhan would be the basis for transforming the rural and tribal economy in the future”- PM Modi. A quote rightly highlighting the approach administration must aim to ensure tribal welfare. Alongside, the government must follow a consistent policy approach to balance mainstreaming of tribals and conserving their unique culture-a Catch-22 situation for the state! TT