GUWAHATI: A seminar and workshop aimed at enhancing livelihood and enterprise opportunities for tribals through Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) was held at the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati.
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The seminar witnessed the participation of more than 200 VDVK members, tribal artisans and institutional stakeholders from various northeastern states. It served as a platform for knowledge sharing, capacity building and strengthening the tribal livelihood and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the region.
The event was held as part of the celebrations commemorating the 151st birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda. The Regional Office of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED), North Eastern Region, Guwahati, organised the event.
M. Rajamurugan, Managing Director, TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, graced the event and paid tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda and outlined TRIFED's core interventions, which include ensuring Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce (MFP), providing institutional support through Self-Help Groups, promoting value addition and processing via Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), and creating broader market opportunities through Tribes India, e-commerce initiatives, and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).
The technical sessions featured expert presentations on three major themes: "Livelihood and Enterprise Development through MFP/VDVK" by Dr. Hemanta Rabha, Training and Capacity Building Specialist, AITEC and CSD Society, Govt. of Assam; "Food Processing, Packaging, and Labeling for Tribal Products" by Prof. Vimal Pant, NIFTEM Kundli; and "Financial & Digital Literacy" by Subhrangshu Pallai, Regional Manager, State Bank of India, Regional Office, Guwahati.
