New Delhi: The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) is supporting tribal communities engaged in the collection and sale of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) by organising them into community-owned Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs).
The mission, launched in 2021-22, aims to help tribal gatherers add value to forest produce through skill development, processing, enterprise support and market linkages.
Around 20% to 40% of the annual income of many tribal communities comes from MFP, including honey, tendu leaves, mahua, tamarind, lac, bamboo and medicinal plants.
4,172 VDVKs Sanctioned
Under the mission:
- 4,172 VDVKs have been sanctioned.
- 2,911 VDVKs are currently functional.
- 12.48 lakh tribal members have been linked to VDVKs.
- Functional VDVKs have reported sales of around ₹168 crore as of July 31, 2026.
A VDVK generally brings together 15 Self-Help Groups, comprising around 300 tribal members, with at least 60% of members required to belong to Scheduled Tribe communities.
MSP Support for 87 MFP Items
The government has notified Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for 87 Minor Forest Produce items under PMJVM.
TRIFED purchases MFP through state implementing agencies at the predetermined MSP, irrespective of market prices.
Since 2013-14, state governments have procured 2,67,954 metric tonnes of MFP worth ₹693.98 crore under the scheme.
The framework operates alongside provisions of the Forest Rights Act, 2006, which recognises the rights of forest-dwelling communities to collect and sell non-timber forest produce.
Training, Processing and Market Support
VDVKs provide tribal gatherers with support for processing and marketing their products.
Key assistance includes:
- Training in sustainable harvesting and value addition
- Primary processing equipment such as dryers, decorticators and packaging tools
- Infrastructure support
- Working capital through financial institutions
- Storage and transportation support
- Branding and promotion
- E-commerce and market-linkage support
- Geotagging of VDVKs and scheme assets
The government is also modernising tribal Haat Bazaars, with improvements including storage, drinking water, permanent structures, shade and weighing facilities.
Tribal Women Lead Value-Added Enterprises
Women account for a significant share of MFP collection and sales under the mission.
A VDVK in Leparada district of Arunachal Pradesh, established in October 2021 with 300 women SHG members and farmers, processes local forest and agricultural produce into products such as:
- King chilli pickle
- Bamboo shoot pickle
- Turmeric powder
- Ginger powder
- Pineapple jam
- Pineapple squash
- Orange squash
The VDVK has recorded sales of ₹11 lakh since 2022-23, according to the PIB explainer.
The PMJVM seeks to strengthen tribal livelihoods by combining community ownership, value addition, processing and market access for forest-based products.
