Context:

TRIFED has asked to initiate procurement of Minor Forest Produces (MFPs) at Minimum Support Price (MSP) from the available funds under MSP for MFP Scheme.

About:

• Minor Forest Produce (MFP)’ refers to all non-timber forest produce of plant origin. It is an important source of livelihood for tribal people are non-wood forest products.
• MFP includes bamboo, canes, fodder, leaves, gums, waxes, dyes, resins and many forms of food including nuts, wild fruits, Honey, Lac, Tusser etc.
• They form a major portion of their food, fruits, medicines, and other consumption items and also provide cash income through sales.

The Scheme:

• The government introduced the scheme of “Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and development of value chain.
• The scheme is designed as a social safety net for the improvement of the livelihood of MFP gatherers by providing them a fair price for the MFPs they collect. The scheme has been started with the following objectives.
  • To provide fair price to the MFP gatherers for the produce collected by them and enhance their income level
  • To ensure sustainable harvesting of MFPs.

About TRIFED:

• TRIFED was established in August 1987 under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984. Currently it is under Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• TRIFED is mandated to ringing about socio-economic development of tribals of the country by institutionalising the trade of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) & Surplus Agricultural Produce (SAP) collected/ cultivated by them.
• TRIFED plays the dual role of both a market developer and a service provider, empowering them with knowledge and tools to better their operations in a systematic, scientific manner and also assist them in developing their marketing approach.