Executive Summary:
This document is a response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the review of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) initiatives. It outlines the government's assessment of TRIFED's performance, financial assistance provided, impact of initiatives like Van Dhan Yojana, and future plans. The response was provided on August 7, 2025, by the Minister of State for Tribal Affairs.
Key Points / Main Content:
Review of TRIFED:
* The review of schemes and programs implemented by TRIFED is a routine process.
* Challenges faced by TRIFED include demand for tribal products, delayed fund utilization by State Implementing Agencies, and market linkages.
Financial Assistance to TRIFED:
* Financial assistance (in crores INR) provided to TRIFED over the last five years:
* 2020-21: 170.74
* 2021-22: 255.90
* 2022-23: 135.27
* 2023-24: 151.28
* 2024-25: 111.70
Impact of TRIFED Initiatives:
* 4130 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), associating 12,35,308 beneficiaries.
* 531 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) VDVKs sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adiwasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PMJANMAN), associating 45,480 beneficiaries.
* VDVKs have reported total sales of tribal products amounting to INR 129.86 crores.
* TRIFED has undertaken procurement worth INR 97.18 crores from empanelled tribal artisans/SHGs for marketing through Tribes India outlets and e-commerce platforms in the last five years.
* Generally, there are no delays/gaps in procurement, marketing, or payment disbursement to tribal artisans/suppliers.
Expansion in Remote Areas:
* VDVKs under PMJANMAN and PMJVM promote livelihoods in remote and Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected tribal areas.
Restructuring Plans:
* The Ministry currently has no plans to restructure TRIFED.
Third-Party Evaluation:
* No third-party review of TRIFED schemes has been conducted recently.
Impact Analysis:
Tribal Artisans and Forest Produce Gatherers:
* Impact: Increased income and livelihood opportunities through VDVKs, procurement by TRIFED, and access to markets.
* Action Required: Participate in VDVKs, supply products to TRIFED, and utilize marketing platforms.
State Implementing Agencies:
* Impact: Responsible for utilizing funds effectively and in a timely manner to support TRIFED initiatives.
* Action Required: Improve the efficiency of fund utilization and ensure timely disbursement.
TRIFED:
* Impact: Accountable for implementing schemes effectively, addressing market challenges, and ensuring timely payments.
* Action Required: Improve market linkages, address demand issues, and streamline operations.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs:
* Impact: Responsible for overseeing TRIFED's operations, providing financial assistance, and evaluating its performance.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring TRIFED's performance and address identified challenges.
Key Entities Referenced
Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India: TRIFED, an organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, involved in the economic development of tribal communities through marketing and development of their products.
Van Dhan Yojana: An initiative by TRIFED to enhance income and livelihoods of tribal artisans and forest produce gatherers.
Tribes India: Retail outlets and e-commerce platforms used by TRIFED to market tribal products.
SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR: Member of Parliament who raised a question in LOK SABHA regarding the review of TRIFED initiatives.
SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B: Member of Parliament who raised a question in LOK SABHA regarding the review of TRIFED initiatives.
SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH: Member of Parliament who raised a question in LOK SABHA regarding the review of TRIFED initiatives.
Left-Wing Extremism LWE: Areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism, where TRIFED is expanding its operations.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission PMJVM: A scheme under which Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) are sanctioned to benefit tribal communities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3026
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 07.08.2025
REVIEW OF TRIFED INITIATIVES
3026. SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:
SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B:
SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has undertaken any recent review of the functioning, performance,
and outcomes of the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)
and if so, the details of such review including the methodology adopted, major findings and
shortcomings identified;
(b) the quantum of financial assistance provided to TRIFED during the last five years, year-wise;
(c) the measurable impact of TRIFED’s initiatives such as Van Dhan Yojana and Tribes India
outlets on the income and livelihoods of tribal artisans and forest-produce gatherers;
(d) whether there have been any delays or gaps in procurement, marketing or disbursement of
payments to tribal beneficiaries under TRIFED programmes and if so, the details thereof;
(e) the steps being taken to expand TRIFED’s operations in remote and Left-Wing Extremism
(LWE)-affected tribal areas;
(f) whether the Government has any plans to restructure or reform TRIFED to enhance its
efficiency, market linkage and transparency in dealings with tribal communities and if so, the
details thereof; and
(g) whether any third-party evaluation or audit of TRIFED's schemes has been conducted recently
and if so, the findings thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) The review of schemes and programmes implemented by TRIFED is a routine process which
is undertaken from time to time. The challenges faced by TRIFED are broadly related to demand
of tribal products in the market, delayed utilization of funds by State Implementing Agencies and
market linkages.
(b) The financial assistance provided to TRIFED in the last five years is given below:Year 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Amount
170.74 255.90 135.27 151.28 111.70
(Rs. in crores)
(c) & (d) So far, TRIFED has sanctioned 4130 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) under Pradhan
Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) scheme associating 12,35,308 beneficiaries and 531
Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) VDVKs under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adiwasi
Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) associating 45,480 beneficiaries. All these VDVKs have
reported sale of tribal products amounting to Rs. 129.86 crores till date. Besides, TRIFED has
undertaken procurement worth Rs. 97.18 crores from their empanelled tribal artisans / SHGs in
the last five years for marketing through its Tribes India outlets and multiple eCommerce
platforms. There are generally no delays/gaps in procurement, marketing or disbursement of
payments to tribal artisans/suppliers.
(e) VDVKs set up under PM-JANMAN and PMJVM takes care of promotional activities for
livelihood of PVTGs and other tribal communities located in remote areas as well as Left-Wing
Extremism (LWE)-affected tribal areas.
(f) At present the Ministry do not have any plan for restructure of TRIFED.
(g) No third-party review of the schemes implemented though TRIFED has been conducted
recently.
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