Over 480 tribal artisans from over 25 States will be participating in AADI MAHOTSAV

    New Delhi. Ms. Leena Nair, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, addressed Curtain Raiser Press Conference on upcoming AADI MAHOTSAV, to be organized at Dilli Haat New Delhi from 16th November 2017 to 30th November 2017, here today. Pravir Krishna, Managing Director, TRIFED and other senior officials were also present on the occasion.

    Speaking on the occasion, Ms Leena Nair said that the festival will be inaugurated by M. Venkaiah Naidu, Vice President of India at 5.30 pm on 16th November 2017. Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs will preside over the inaugural function in the august presence of Jaswantsinh Sumanbhai Bhabhor and Sudarshan Bhagat, Ministers of State for Tribal Affairs.

       Ms Nair said that Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation Ltd (TRIFED), is organizing “AADI MAHOTSAV” a celebration of the spirit of Tribal Culture, Cuisine and Commerce. 

  Ms Nair said that the festival will feature exhibition-cum-sale of tribal handicrafts, art, paintings, fabric, jewellery and much more through 160 stalls. In line with the national aspiration to go cashless, for the first time the tribal merchandise stalls will be accepting payment through major credit / debit cards.

    Ms Nair said that over 480 tribal artisans from over 25 States will be participating in the festival. A special feature of the festival is Tribal India cuisine, recreated and presented in delectable forms to suit urban tastes by special tribal chefs. Ms Nair further mentioned that tribal music and dance will be showcased at the venue every evening from 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM. Nearly 250 artists from 20 States are expected to perform during the festival. Minor Forest Produce (MFP) is a major source of livelihood for tribals who belong to the poorest of the poor section of society.

     The importance of MFPs for this section of the society can be gauged from the fact that around 100 million forest dwellers depend on MFPs for food, shelter, medicines and income. It provides them critical subsistence during the lean seasons, particularly for primitive tribal groups such as hunter gatherers, and the landless. Tribals derive 20-40% of their annual income from MFP .This activity has strong linkage to women’s financial empowerment as most of the MFPs are collected and used /sold by women.

      MFP sector has the potential to create about 10 million workdays annually in the country. Government of India has taken a number of initiatives for socio economic development of tribals like introduction Forest Rights Act, 2006 (Section- 3), PESA Act, 1996 (Section -4), and has been implementing schemes for development of MFP by providing financial support to State TDCCs and TRIFED for market development of MFPs. 

    Recognizing the critical importance which MFPs hold for tribals and the potential to generate large scale employment opportunities empowering the tribals, Government of India introduced an ambitious scheme of providing fair price for the MFP collected by tribals through Minimum Support Price (MSP). The scheme was ready for implementation in March 2014 after a series of studies conducted by the Planning Commission since 2007 (Haque Committee & Sudha Pillai Committee) the recommendation of which supports providing support price to MFP gatherers, enhance their income level and ensure sustainable harvesting of MFPs. 

   The MSP scheme seeks to establish a framework to ensure fair prices for the produce collected by them, assurance of buying at a particular price, primary processing, storage, transportation etc. while ensuring sustainability of the resource base. It is a holistic scheme for development of MFP trade and covers 24 non-nationalized / non-monopolized MFPs namely, Karanj Seed, Mahua Seed, Sal Leaf, Sal Seed, Lac (Rangini & Kusumi), Chironjee, Wild Honey, Myrobalan, Tamarind, Gums (Gum Karaya), Kusum Seed, Neem Seed, Puwad Seed, Baheda, Hill Broom Grass, Shikakai, Guggul (exudate), Bael(dried & without crust), Nagarmotha, Palash Kesuda(Flower), Shatavari(dried),Madhunashini, Kalmegh, Tamarind(de-seeded). 

    The scheme is applicable for implementation in all the States across India. Any de-nationalized MFP / items removed from the purview of monopoly procurement in future will also qualify for coverage under the Scheme. Similarly, any nationalized / monopolized procurement MFP will disqualify for coverage under the Scheme. 

    However, if any State willingly wants any nationalized items to be included in MSP, then it shall have to change its nationalized status accordingly.The focus is on setting up the basic infrastructure at the village Haat Bazzar where the tribal brings his forest produces on head loads. Due emphasis is to be given to primary value addition at the village level and secondary and tertiary value addition in PPP mode at the next level. Government of India extends financial support towards part of working capital requirement of State Implementing Agencies in the form of Revolving Funds and also share losses, 

   if any, with the State Govts. in the ratio of 75:25. It is expected to increase quantum of MFP procurement substantially thereby benefitting tribal people. The Scheme also envisages training of tribal MFP gatherers on sustainable harvesting and value addition activities including facilitation for marketing of the produces so that natural resources can be optimally utilized in a sustainable manner.

    The scheme seeks to institutionalize various medium & long term aspects of sustainable collection, value addition, market infrastructure development, knowledge base expansion of MFPs, market intelligence development etc. Strengthening the bargaining power of Gram Sabhas / Panchayats and their involvement shall also be addressed and taken care of during implementation of the scheme.

   The scheme aims to touch the lives of tribal people involved in collection of MFPs across all the States and help optimum utilization of natural resources in a sustainable manner. This scheme will be an important milestone in economic development of tribals.