National Institutes

National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporations

Objectives

1. Identification of economic activities of importance to the Scheduled Tribes so as to generate employment and raise their level of income.
2. Upgradation of skills and processes used by the Scheduled Tribes through providing both institutional and on the job training.
3. To make the existing State/U.T Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporations who are nominated as the State Channelising Agencies (SCAs) for availing assistance from NSTFDC and other developmental agencies engaged in the economic development of Scheduled Tribes more effective.
4. To assist SCAs in project formulation implementation of NSTFDC assisted Schemes and in imparting necessary training to their staff.
5. To provide financial support for meeting the working capital requirement of the Central / State government owned agencies for undertaking procurement and marketing of minor forest produces agricultural produces and other products grown/made or collected by the Scheduled Tribes.
6. To innovate experiment and promote rather than replicate the work of the existing agencies.

Functions

1. To finance viable Income Generating Scheme(s)/ Project(s) costing up to Rs.10.00 Lakhs through the State Channelising Agencies / affiliated banks and RRBs  for the economic development of eligible Scheduled Tribes.
2. To provide grants through the SCAs for undertaking training programmes for the skill and entrepreneurial development of eligible Scheduled Tribes.
3. To upgrade skills of officials of the SCAs through periodic training

Schemes

Term Loan

Unit Cost:
NSTFDC provides Term Loan for viable Scheme(s)/ Project(s) costing upto Rs.10.00 lakh per unit/ profit centre.

Quantum of Assistance:
NSTFDC provides Term Loan upto 90% of the cost of Scheme(s)/ Project(s) subject to the condition that the SCAs contribute their share of loan as per the scheme and provide eligible subsidy. The SCAs may endeavour to tie up financial assistance from other sources if any.

Working Capital:
Entire Working requirement is treated as a part of the project cost for scheme(s) having cost upto Rs. 1.00 lakh.
For Scheme(s) /Project (s) having unit cost above Re.1.00 lakh Working Capital requirement upto 30% of the cost of Scheme (s) /Project (s) subject to a maximum of Rs. 3.00 lakhs per unit/profit centre is considered as part of the cost of project.

Promoter’s Contribution:
Cost per Unit/ Profit Centre Minimum Promoter’s Contribution (as %age of cost of project)

1. Upto Rs. 1.00 lakh :  not to be insisted upon
2. Above Rs. 1.00 lakh and upto Rs. 2.50 lakh : 2%
3. Above Rs. 2.50 lakh and upto Rs. 5.00 lakh : 3%
4. Above Rs. 5.00 lakh : 5%

Interest Rates:
Amount of Loan Interest per Annum
Per Unit/Profit Centre Chargeable To**
(NSTFDC’S SHARE)  SCAs Beneficiary (ies)
a) Upto Rs.5.00 lakh        :  3%  -  6%
b)  Above Rs.5.00 lakh    :  5%  -  8%
** The above rates of interest are not on slab basis

Repayment Period:
(a) The loan is to be repaid in quarterly/ half yearly installments as the case may be within a maximum period of 10 years including suitable moratorium period.
(b) The repayment period of the scheme is fixed by NSTFDC based on nature of activity and cash generating capacity of unit.
(c) SCAs are allowed extra repayment period of one year over and above the repayment period allowed to the beneficiaries.

Bridge Loan

Unit Cost
Bridge loan may be provided by the NSTFDC against subsidy/capital incentives etc available for the Scheme(s)/Project(s) through the SCAs to meet the gap in funding requirement of Scheme(s)/ Project (s) costing upto Rs. 10.00 lakhs per unit/ profit centre.

Interest Rates
Interest rate on bridge loan are at par with rates of interest for term loan as at A (v) above.

Repayment Period
The SCA is to ensure that loan is repaid to NSTFDC within a maximum period of 2 years from the date of first release of Bridge Loan by NSTFDC to SCA.

Scheme For Women

Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana
An exclusive  concessional scheme for the economic development of eligible Scheduled Tribe Women.

Unit Cost
NSTFDC provides Term Loan for Scheme(s)/Project(s) costing upto Rs. 50000/- per unit/profit centre.

Quantum of Assistance
NSTFDC provides term loan upto 90% of the cost of the Scheme(s)/ Project(s) subject to the condition that the SCAs contribute their share of loan as per their scheme and provide the eligible subsidy. The SCAs may endeavor to tie-up financial assistance from other sources if any.

Promoter’s Contribution
Minimum promoter's contribution may not to be insisted upon.

Interest Rate
NSTFDC charges highly concessional interest @ 2% p.a. from the SCAs. The SCAs may charge a maximum interest @ 4% p.a. from the ultimate women beneficiaries.

Repayment Period
(a) The loan is to be repaid in quarterly/ half yearly instalments as the case may be within a maximum period of 10 years including suitable moratorium period.
(b) The repayment period of the scheme is fixed by NSTFDC based on nature of activity and cash generating capacity of unit.
(c) SCAs are allowed extra repayment period of one year over and above the repayment period allowed to the beneficiaries.

Self Help Groups

Unit Cost:
NSTFDC provides financial assistane for Scheme(s)/ Project(s) having unit cost upto Rs. 25.00 lakh per SHG.

Quantum of Assistance:
NSTFDC provides term loan upto 90% of the cost of the Scheme/Project subject to investment per member not exceeding Rs. 50000/- per unit.
This is further subject to the condition that the Channelising Agencies (SCAs) contribute their share of loan as per their norms and arrange/provide the eligible subsidy. The SCAs may also endeavour to tie up financial assistance from other sources if any.

Working Capital:
Upto 30% of the cost of the scheme/ project is considered as part of the cost of project/scheme.
Minimum Contribution from SHG's: At the rate of 10% of the cost of the project/ scheme.

Interest Rate:
NSTFDC shall charge interest @ 5% per annum (on NSTFDC’s share) from the     SCAs and in turn SCAs may charge upto 8% p.a. from the SHGs.
New/ Existing Profit Making SHG's: SHGs shall be extended the financial assistance for the viable unit(s) by NSTFDC through the SCAs subject to fulfilling the primary condition of income limit for ST members.
Note: The other lending norms as applicable under Term Loan scheme having unit cost upto Rs. 10.00 lakh shall also be applicable for funding to SHGs.

Micro Credit

This Scheme is meant to provide small loans to the eligible Scheduled Tribes for undertaking Self Employment Ventures/Activities only through the existing profit making Self Help Groups.

Quantum of Assistance:

• NSTFDC provides loans upto Rs.35000/- per Member and maximum Rs.5.00 lakh per SHG.. SCAs shall provide eligible amount of Margin Money/Subsidy as per their norms for the target group and remaining amount may be provided as Term Loan by NSTFDC.
• NSTFDC may provide upto 100% of  the funds required as Term Loan in case the SCA is/are not able to provide Margin Money/Subsidy loan.

Repeat Loans:  Repeat Loans  may be given to the Members by the SHGs.  However Repeat Loan to the SHGs by the SCAs shall be given only after the entire dues of earlier loan taken under NSTFDC scheme are repaid by the SHG(s) to SCA(s) and in turn by the SCA(s) to NSTFDC.

Interest rates:

• NSTFDC to SCAs: NSTFDC shall charge interest from the SCAs @ 3% p.a.
• SCAs to SHGs:  SCAs  shall charge  interest at the rate of  6% p.a. from  the  eligible Self Help Groups.
• SHGs to Members: Members of respective SHGs to decide the rate of  interest to be     charged by SHGs from its member  but not exceeding 15% p.a.

REPAYMENT PERIOD:

• SHGs to SCAs :  Depending on the nature of activity(ies) repayment period shall be recommended  by the SCAs. However loan is to be repaid by the SHGs to the SCAs within     a maximum period of 04 years including a standard moratorium period of six months to be allowed to the SHGs by the SCAs from the date of disbursement of funds by the SCAs to SHGs.
• SCAs to NSTFDC: On quarterly basis by SCAs within a period of 05 years from the date of disbursement of funds by  NSTFDC to  SCAs including  a standard moratorium period of six months allowed by the SCAs to SHGs.

Education Loan

To extend loan at concessional rate of interest to the eligible Scheduled Tribe candidates for pursuing professional / technical courses including Ph.D. in India.

Eligibility Criteria

• Student should be from a Scheduled Tribe community.
• The annual family income of the student should not exceed Double the Poverty Line (DPL) limit. Present limit is Rs. 81,000/-p.a. for the rural areas and Rs. 1,04,000/- p.a. for the urban areas (this is revised from time to time based on the norms of the Planning Commission of India.
• The applicant should have been selected for admission / secured admission for an eligible course in a college / institution recognized by an Indian Government Body.
• No other loan is availed by the applicant from any other source for education purpose. An affidavit to this effect shall be submitted by the applicant to the concerned SCA.

Courses Covered

• Education loan may be provided for the professional and technical courses including Ph.D. conducted by colleges / universities approved by UGC / Govt. / AICTE / ICMR etc.

Expenses Considered For Loan

• Educational Loan is meant to cover expenditure on account of the following:
• Admission fee, Examination fee, Library fee, Laboratory fee & Tuition fee payable to the Institute. Caution deposit, Building fund/refundable deposit supported by Institution bills/receipts subject to the condition that the amount does not exceed 10% of the total tuition fees for the entire course.
• Boarding and Lodging expenses:  On actuals as charged by the concerned Government College/ Institute. For private boarding and lodging arrangements, the same would be payable at the rates of the Govt. Colleges / Institutes. However, if the said institute is not having boarding/lodging facilities, payment would be regulated on the rates applicable in the Government hostels in the respective areas.
• Travel expenses, books, stationery, computer, equipments/ instruments etc.  essential for completion of the course.
• Insurance premium for student borrower taking comprehensive insurance cover during the currency of the loan.
• Any other expense required to complete the course - like study tours, project work, thesis etc

Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme

Govt. of India has enacted the Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Under this act, Scheduled Tribes and other Traditional Forest Dwellers have been given the right to hold the forest land for habitation and/ or for self-cultivation or for any other traditional activity for generating livelihood.

The objective of the Tribal Forest Dwellers Empowerment Scheme is to generate awareness, provide training to beneficiaries, give NSTFDC’s concessional financial assistance, assist in market linkage, etc. to the Scheduled Tribes Forest Dwellers for facilitating productive utilisation of land.

A Scheduled Tribe, who has received land right under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 is eligible for availing financial assistance under this scheme.

• Quantum of assistance: Unit cost of the scheme can be upto Rs. 1 Lakh. Upto 90% assistance from NSTFDC as concessional loan and the balance by way of promoters’ contribution/margin money/subsidy.
• Handholding Support/ Training: Forest Right Holders seeking financial assistance from NSTFDC will be entitled to handholding support and need based training in the relevant field.
• Rate of Interest: 6% p.a. chargeable from beneficiary.
• Repayment Period: The loan is to be repaid in quarterly installments within a maximum period of 5 years, including a moratorium period of six months.

Indicative Activities

Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED)

Tribals constitute 8.61% of the total population of the country, numbering 104.28 million (2011 Census) and cover about 15% of the country’s area. The fact that tribal people need special attention can be observed from their low social, economic and participatory indicators. Whether it is maternal and child mortality, size of agricultural holdings or access to drinking water and electricity, tribal communities lag far behind the general population.

These indicators underline the importance of the need of livelihood generating activities based on locally available resources so that gainful employment opportunities could be created at the doorstep of tribal people. Recognizing this need for initiating such livelihood generating activities in a sustained and focused manner, the Ministry of Welfare (now Ministry of Tribal Affairs) established an organization to take up marketing development activities for Non Timber forest produce (NTFP) on which a tribal spends most of his time and derives a major portion of his/her income. In 1987, the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) was set up with an aim to serve the interest of the tribal community and work for their socio-economic development by conducting its affairs in a professional, democratic and autonomous manner for undertaking marketing of tribal products.

Further to achieve the aim of accelerating the economic development of tribal people by providing wider exposure to their art and crafts, TRIBES INDIA, the exclusive shops of tribal artifacts were set up all over India by TRIFED. They showcase and market the art and craft items produced by the tribal people and thus demonstrate the magical mystique of tribal India espousing tribal cause.

Roadmap of 12th Five year plan

The Roadmap of 12th plan period from (2012-13 to 2017-18) assigns the following four main activities to TRIFED:-

1. Retail Marketing Development
2. Minor Forest Produce Marketing Development
3. Skill up-gradation & Capacity Building of ST Artisans and MFP Gatherers
4. R&D Development/Intellectual Proprietary Rights (IPR) Activity

Retail Marketing Development :

The activity of marketing development of tribal products envisages TRIFED’s role as a facilitator, service provider and market developer. This involves exploring marketing possibilities in national as well as international markets, creating opportunities for marketing tribal products on a sustainable basis, creating a brand and skill upgradation & capacity building of the tribals. The ultimate objective of TRIFED is socio-economic development of tribal people in the country by way of marketing development of the tribal products on which the lives of tribals depend. In order to achieve its objective, TRIFED is marketing tribal products through its 37 own showrooms by the name of “Tribes India” Outlets and 7 consignment showrooms in association with State level Organisations promoting handicrafts.

TRIFED has been undertaking sourcing of various handicraft, handloom and natural & food products from individual tribal artisans, tribal SHGs, Organisations/Agencies/NGOs working with tribals. The same is being sold through its Outlets and Exhibitions.

• Aadishilp: TRIFED has been organizing National Tribal Craft Expo “Aadishilp”, wherein tribal artisans/groups/organizations are invited to participate in this Expo and showcase their rich tribal heritage. The main objective in holding these events is to provide an opportunity to tribal artisans to showcase their ethnic crafts and to interact directly with art lovers to learn about their taste and preferences. This helps them in adapting their product designs and creations accordingly. It is an attempt to present tribal art and culture in holistic manner, which has been receiving encouraging response from all quarters.
• Aadichitra: TRIFED also organises Áadichitra’- an exhibition of tribal paintings, in which tribal paintings are exclusively displayed and sold. The tribal artists are also invited to demonstrate their art in these exhibitions. Encouraged by the response, TRIFED has been organizing such exhibitions at various locations across the country.
• OCTAVE: TRIFED participates in the OCTAVE - a dance festival of North Eastern Region, organized by Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. TRIFED is associated with this event from 2008-09 onwards. TRIFED facilitates participation of artisan from North Eastern Region and provide them the opportunity to showcase and market their products.

Besides participating in various domestic exhibitions across the country, TRIFED also participates in international exhibitions/trade fairs through Export Promotion Council For Handicrafts (EPCH) and India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) in various countries for promotion of tribal products. During the current year TRIFED participated in two International Exhibitions i.e., Import Shop Berlin, Germany and AFL, Milan, Italy.

Minor Forest Produce Marketing Development:

Timated 100 Million people derive their source of livelihood from the collection and marketing of MFP (Report of the National Committee on Forest Rights Act, 2011). The importance of MFPs for this section of the society can be gauged from the facts that around 100 million forest dwellers depend on MFPs for food, shelter, medicines and cash income. It is important for them for food, shelter medicines and case income beside providing 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 on which they spend major portion of their time. 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.

Minimum Support Price (MSP) FOR MFPs:

Govt. of India has taken a number of initiatives for socio economic development of tribals and recognizing the critical importance which MFP hold for tribals and its potential to create large scale employment opportunity thereby, helping in reducing poverty and increasing empowerment of tribals particularly women and poor people of the poorest and backward districts of the country, Govt. of India has decided to introduce an ambitious scheme of providing fair price for the MFP collected by tribals through Minimum Support price (MSP). The scheme has been started with the objective of providing fair returns 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 tribals, assurance of buying at a particular price, primary processing, storage, transportation etc while ensuring sustainability of the resource base. The scheme envisages fixation of MSP for the following items, procurement and marketing operation of which shall be undertaken by State procurement agencies at the pre fixed MSP.

(i) Tendu, (ii) Bamboo, (iii) Mahuwa Seed, (iv) Sal Leaf (v) Sal Seed, (vi) Lac (vii) Chironjee (viii) Wild Honey (ix) Myrobalan, (x) Tamarind (xi) Gums (Gum Karaya) (xii) Karanj.

Any de-nationalised 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. Mahuwa Flower which is for self consumption by the tribals will also be excluded from the purview of MSP. However, if any State willingly wants any nationalised items to be included in MSP, then it shall have to change its nationalized status accordingly. The scheme shall initially be implemented in the following PESA States (except Himachal Pradesh):-

Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra & Rajasthan.

Objective: - The scheme has been started with following objectives a. To provide fair price to the MFP gatherers for the produce collected by them and enhance their income level b. To ensure sustainable harvesting of MFPs. c. The Scheme will have a huge social dividend for MFP gatherers, majority of whom are tribals.

It is a holistic scheme for development of MFP trade including its value chain and necessary infrastructure at local level. The MSP scheme seeks to establish a framework to ensure fair returns for the produce collected by tribals, assurance of buying at a particular price, primary processing, storage, transportation etc while ensuring sustainability of the resource base.

Salient Features of the scheme:

• Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India shall be the Nodal Ministry for implementation and monitoring of the scheme. Ministry of Tribal Affairs shall announce Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the selected MFPs with the technical support from TRIFED.
• TRIFED shall be Central Nodal Agency for implementation of the scheme through State level implementing agencies.
• The basic component of the scheme includes declaration of MSP for notified MFPs by the Central Government based on the recommendation of the Pricing Cell set up within TRIFED. The Pricing Cell has already been under the Chairmanship of Managing Director, TRIFED comprising representatives of Planning Commission, Commission for Agricultural Cost & Price, Ministry of Rural Development, Indian Institute of Forest Management , Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education, National Council for Applied Economic Research and experts in the relevant field. In addition, Chief Executive Officers of designated States Procurement agencies will also be invited as a Special Invitees for the purpose.
• State designated agencies will undertake procurement of notified MFPs directly from MFP gatherers (individual or collectives) at haats /village/pre notified procurement centres at prefixed Minimum Support Price and ensure full & timely payment to MFP gatherers across the country. States will ensure setting up of adequate number of Procurement Centres with necessary manpower and storage facility to meet the needs of MFP gatherers and thereby minimize exploitation by middle men. The State Procurement Agency will ensure proper collection, transportation, handling and storage arrangements to avoid deterioration in the quality. Appropriate guidelines for efficient and transparent procurement, supervision and monitoring of the operations will be issued by the Procurement Agency to the field level functionaries.
• Revolving fund: The State Governments Agencies will undertake procurement and marketing operations of MFPs under MSP Scheme. A revolving fund shall be provided to each designated State for procurement of MFPs from the gatherers at the prefixed MSP. The revolving fund requirement for each State shall be assessed based on a Procurement Plan every year. A provision of Rs.345 Crore has been made for revolving funds as central share and remaining 25% shall be arranged by State Govts.
• Subsidy Requirement: Subsidy is required for the States to compensate for the losses if incurred, during the MSP operation. It is essentially an anti poverty measures, as it addresses the livelihood of some of the poorest communities in the country. The designated State Procurement Agency will finalize the accounts related to each commodity on yearly basis and based on the certified accounts subsidy shall be released to State Procurement agencies to the extent of 75% and remaining 25% shall be borne by the State. A provision of Rs.285 Crores has been made in the budget for this purpose.
• The Scheme shall provide training to 1,00,000 tribal MFP gatherers on sustainable harvesting and value addition activities including facilitation for marketing of the produces.
• Market information system: The existence and dissemination of complete and accurate market information is the key to achieve both operational and pricing efficiency. Therefore, MFPNET a portal dedicated to MFPs is being established to implement information and communication technology based schemes. The basic objectives is to establish nationwide information network for speedy collection and dissemination of market information and data for its efficient and timely utilization.
• Modernization of Haats, storage facility at aggregation points and establishment of Multipurpose Centers for training and capacity building, value addition ,storage etc. also forms part of the scheme. (j) To ensure transparency and their accountability to Gram Sabhas, all Procurement Agencies will share full information about MSP operation and local accounts with the Gram Sabhas.
• The total outlay for the Scheme is Rs.967 Crore as Centre’s share for the plan period during 2013-14 to 2016-17.

Trainings:

TRIFED in its endeavor to develop the marketing of minor forest produce is engaged in skill up gradation and capacity building of MFP gatherers with the objective of improving their income by way of organizing training for non-destructive harvesting, primary processing, value addition and marketing of MFPs. During the last few years, TRIFED has organized intensive training on sustainable collection, cultivation, primary processing, value addition and marketing of Honey, Gum Karaya, Mahua flower, Lac, Donna Pattal making, Hill Grass, Bamboo cultivation covering 56000 Gatherers. The trainings are organized through empanelled implementing agencies working in the field of tribal development.

It has been observed that without value addition of MFP, possibility of providing remunerative prices to the MFP gatherers is limited. Accordingly, TRIFED has now designed its training programmes to include forward & backward linkages as an integral part of the training. Now the objective is to empower the beneficiaries through training, provide information and handhold them by including them as a supplier of TRIFED as far as possible or link them to different marketing channels. TRIFED’s training programmes can be divided in two categories.

• One that leads to production of marketable product as an outcome of the training based on which an enterprise can be started with the assistance of State. Such trainings are value addition trainings on Hill Grass, Tamarind, Dona Pattal, Amla, Honey & some Agro based items like spices, herbs, cashew, etc. The trainees shall be supported in establishing marketing linkages and establishing their enterprise. While TRIFED propose to provide them with initial tool kits but for long-term sustenance of their initiative they will be converted into an enterprise with the active support of State Government. State Government’s participation will help ensure convergence by expanding the beneficiary base and can also compliment & supplement these initiatives in a positive manner by arranging to provide financial & administrative support in the form of working capital loans, Grants, subsidy, infrastructural support etc. wherever possible to help beneficiaries in establishing their enterprise and providing marketing linkages. Initial marketing linkages are also proposed to be provided as part of the training programme by marketing their products through TRIBES INDIA outlets established by TRIFED or any other outlet locally, directly by them. They will be encouraged to market their products locally in a systematic manner so that they can take control of their enterprise without continuous support from any outside agency. A brand is also proposed to be established for such MFP products that can be sold in Retail to help provide a distinct identity to such products.
• Second is purely skill development training under which inputs are provided to the tribals to cultivate, collect and harvest MFP items in a scientific manner so that it not only improves the quantity & quality of the produce but also protects the environment. These trainings will result in earning livelihood through Lac cultivation, Processing of TBOs & Mahuwa Flower business activity in a scientific manner. These are purely skill development training under which they will be trained to enhance quantity collects and its quality so that their income improves. They will be encouraged to work in SHG mode for these training and work collectively to improve their incomes.

MFP Development

Skill up-gradation & Capacity Building of ST Artisans and MFP Gatherers

Since time immemorial, craft sector in India has grown in its spontaneity from one generation to the next by the inherent creative aptitude of the people to work with natural resources of our country. Later, the subsistence needs of the people have ensured more dependence on the sector and made it a flourishing economic activity. Notwithstanding the phenomena of worldwide recession, industrial sickness, natural calamities etc. all over, this sector has been registering steady growth in terms of export and foreign exchange earning besides providing gainful employment (both fulltime and part-time) to around 8 million artisans of the country of which a large section belong to socio-economically poor and marginalized population.

At present, craft sector has assumed 1/5th share of the total house-hold industry in the country. But unfortunately the revenues earned from this sector are not adequately reaching the artisans and crafts persons who remain at the mercy of middleman, trader and exporter for both sustained earning and exposure to the marketable designs with change frequently with time. In order to address this problem and safeguard as well as promote the craft and tribal artisans involved in this sector, TRIFED has envisaged undertaking Skill Up gradation Trainings and Design Development Workshops.

Out of the handicraft artisans of disadvantaged communities, tribal artisans are the target beneficiaries as per the mandate of the TRIFED. These tribal beneficiaries pursue handicraft activity on individual basis in their house-hold set up. Thus, their family income is abysmally less as against the effort made by them in producing and selling the handicraft items. Hence there is a necessity to organize them into producer groups and offer them a platform so that they can leverage the benefits of various interventions made by Govt. organizations including TRIFED. Towards this end, TRIFED has been implementing the following activities:-

1. Skill Up-gradation Training & Design Development Workshop for the tribal artisans.
2. Networking with other organizations to gather the tribal artisans and give them technological and marketing support.
3. Collaborating with premier Design Institute for providing training to artisans on current design trends as per market taste and preference.
4. Institutionalizing tribal artisan group in the form of Federation.
5. Tribal Artisan Mela (TAM).
6. Multipurpose Tribal Development Center (MTDC)

R&D Development / Intellectual Proprietary Rights (IPR) Activity:

TRIFED has been undertaking R&D activities by sponsoring research on number of NTFPs. In TRIFED’s context, R&D is an important aspect as tribals from diverse income levels, age groups, and cultural backgrounds harvest NTFPs for household subsistence, maintaining cultural and family traditions, obtaining spiritual fulfillment, maintaining physical and emotional well-being, scientific learning, and earning income but they still use traditional collection, processing techniques with limited applications and market it as raw or with minimum processing. Most of the NTFPs are underutilized and there are few organizations which are working on the Minor forest produces in the country. It is in this background that R&D on NTFP assumes critical importance for enhancing the income of tribal collector gatherers, reducing drudgery & waste and increasing efficiency of tribals. TRIFED being the apex organization for providing marketing support for tribal products is carrying on the task of sponsoring R&D projects with the financial support of Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Objectives: Objectives for initiation of the R&D project on NTFPs by TRIFED are:

• Research and development of an innovative low cost process/ technology for optimum utilization of the available NTFPs so that Tribals get direct benefit.
• Development of tools, implements, methodologies, processes etc. which result in increased harvesting and collection of Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFPs) on a sustainable basis, which result in reducing drudgery & waste, increasing efficiency etc of the tribals.
• Development of appropriate technologies for post harvest management of NTFPs concerning sorting, grading, cleaning, dusting, scientific storage, preliminary primary level processing for increasing shelf life /value addition , reducing wastage etc.
• Sustainable harvesting techniques to ensure long term survival of forests.
• Enhance income through value addition of the NTFPs

TRIFED sponsors R&D projects through various reputed institutions like IITs. IICT, Hyderabad, CFTRI, Mysore, Universities etc to find out new & innovative product(s)/ process(s) development so that it can enhance the value of Minor forest produce and livelihood of tribals.. During the last few years TRIFED has sponsored 10 R&D Projects which are under various stages of its completion & commercialization.

Status of R&D Projects:

Projects Successfully Completed:

• Development of Integrated post – harvested technology for production of quality minor forest produces by Institution of Minerals & Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar - The research study resulted in development of low cost hybrid dryer that can be useful for enhance the shelf life of Minor forest produces and can be utilized by the tribals.
• Production of Nutra beverages from Mahuwa flower by JUIT, Solan (Jointly with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)): A blended Mahuwa Guava wine has been developed which has enhanced flavor and antioxidant property. Further action regarding validation, patenting and market trial of developed products are under consideration.
• Preparation of Health Products from Bael Fruit: Evaluation of Antiulcer, Anti-diabetic and Anticancer potentials by CFTRI, Mysore: The project has been completed and Bael juice fruit has been test marketed which received an encouraging response. Modalities of including the product into our productline are being finalsed.
• Ongoing R&D Projects on value addition of Minor Forest Produces :
• Nutraceutical and Cosmaceutical from Tamarind seeds, Sal seeds oil and Karanj oil using low cost technology by BIT, Mesra – This project was started in March 2013 and is under study. It is a two year project.

Completed projects requiring financial support for validation/ commercialization of Research findings:

Some of the earlier R&D study / Research have resulted in development of innovative products and processes. However, validation of the research study is needed on a large-scale before introduction in the market. TRIFED is exploring the possibility of financial support from other agencies to conduct validation of the following projects:

• Exploration of Sal Seed oil cake as source of Organic manure, biopesticides and nitrification inhibitor: The research resulted in development of Sal manure and application of same resulted in higher productivity of crops. The validation study of the result need to be done before the commercialization of Sal manure.
• Process Development for Isolation of Starch and Tannin from Sal cake (by BESTU, Howrah): The project has resulted in development of isolation/ extraction process of tannin, protein and soluble carbohydrate from Sal DOC. Isolated Tannin, Starch & Protein can be utilised in many industry sectors.

Source: TRIFED