Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs addresses Lok Sabha question 4738 regarding schemes promoting tribal handicrafts, particularly in Arani Lok Sabha Constituency. The Ministry, through TRIFED, implements the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) to support tribal artisans via marketing, skill development, and financial assistance. As of March 31, 2025, 5927 suppliers/producers are empanelled with TRIFED.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Schemes and Programmes:**
* The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the PMJVM through TRIFED to support tribal artisans and promote handicrafts nationwide.
* Support includes marketing through empanelment, procurement, and sales via TRIBES INDIA outlets and e-commerce platforms.
* TRIFED provides skill development training, packaging, branding, and entrepreneurship training via VDVKs under PMJVM and PM JANMAN.
* **Beneficiaries and Reach:**
* 5927 suppliers/producers are empanelled with TRIFED, associated with 3,05,485 families (as of 31.03.2025).
* In Arani Lok Sabha Constituency, 2 artisans/suppliers are associated with 912 families.
* 624 VDVKs sanctioned under PMJVM with 1,84,544 members and 175 VDVKs under PM JANMAN with 12365 members in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu.
* **TRIFED's Presence in Tamil Nadu:**
* TRIFED operates 13 Tribes India outlets/franchisee partners in Tamil Nadu.
* 46 tribal artisans/suppliers from Tamil Nadu, associated with 3,315 families, are empaneled for regular procurement.
* TRIFED conducts Tribal Artisan Empanelment Melas (TAeMs) to onboard more artisans/suppliers.
* **Global Market Access:**
* TRIFED engages with international bulk buyers and explores strategic partnerships through international trade fairs and expos.
* Collaborations with Indian Missions abroad are pursued to strengthen international presence and sales promotion.
* TRIFED exports tribal products including metal craft, pottery, paintings, jewellery, textiles, and cane bamboo items.
Impact Analysis:
* Tribal Artisans:
* Impact: Enhanced market access, skill development, and financial assistance.
* Action Required: Participate in empanelment processes (TAeMs), utilize training opportunities, and leverage marketing platforms.
* TRIFED:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing schemes, expanding market presence, and facilitating global access.
* Action Required: Continue empanelling artisans, managing VDVKs, expanding retail networks, and pursuing international partnerships.
* Consumers:
* Impact: Access to a wider range of authentic tribal handicrafts and products.
* Action Required: Support tribal artisans by purchasing products from TRIBES INDIA outlets and affiliated platforms.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The Indian government ministry responsible for the welfare and development of tribal communities.
Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India TRIFED: An organization under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, focused on marketing and developing tribal products and promoting tribal entrepreneurship.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission PMJVM: A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs through TRIFED to support tribal artisans and promote tribal handicrafts.
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras VDVKs: Centers established under the PMJVM scheme to provide skill development training, packaging, branding, and entrepreneurship training to tribal artisans.
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN PM JANMAN: A scheme by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to promote the welfare of tribal communities.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India where TRIFED is expanding its presence and supporting tribal artisans.
Arani Lok Sabha Constituency, Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu: A specific constituency in Tamil Nadu where the government is focusing on promoting tribal handicrafts.
Tribes India: A retail outlet and e-commerce platform used by TRIFED to sell tribal products.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 4738
TO BE ANSWERED ON: 21.08.2025
SCHEMES FOR PROMOTION OF TRIBAL HANDICRAFTS
4738. Shri Tharaniventhan M S:
Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the schemes and programmes being implemented by the Government
to promote tribal handicrafts across the country, especially in Arani Lok Sabha
Constituency;
(b) whether the Government has taken any specific steps to support tribal artisans from
Tamil Nadu and other southern States in terms of skill development, marketing and
financial assistance and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the total number of tribal artisans benefited from such schemes in the last three years,
State-wise;
(d) whether the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)
has expanded its presence in Tamil Nadu to facilitate the sale and promotion of tribal
handicrafts and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the measures being taken to improve online and global market access for tribal
artisans and ensure fair prices for their product?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)
(a) to (c) The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, through the Tribal Cooperative Marketing
Development Federation of India (TRIFED), implements the scheme Pradhan Mantri
Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) to support tribal artisans and promote tribal handicrafts
across the country. This includes marketing support through empanelment of tribal
artisans / SHGs and procurement of tribal products from them. These products are sold
via ‘TRIBES INDIA’ outlets, e-commerce platforms such as TribesIndia.com, Amazon,
Flipkart, GeM etc. A total number of 5927 suppliers/producers are empanelled with
TRIFED as on 31.03.2025, which are associated with 3,05,485 families. It includes 2
artisans/suppliers associated with 912 families in Arani Lok Sabha Constituency,
Tiruvannamalai District.Besides, TRIFED also provides support through skill development training,
packaging, branding, entrepreneurship training etc. through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras
(VDVKs) under PMJVM and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN (PM-
JANMAN). Under PMJVM, 624 VDVKs have been sanctioned with 1,84,544 associated
members in five southern states (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and
Tamil Nadu). Similarly, under the PM JANMAN scheme, 175 VDVKs have been
sanctioned with 12365 associated members in these five States.
(d) TRIFED currently operates 13 Tribes India outlets/franchisee partners in the State of
Tamil Nadu, These outlets showcase a wide range of handcrafted items made by tribal
artisans, including textiles, handicrafts, organic produce, and traditional art forms.
TRIFED has empaneled 46 tribal artisans/suppliers, associated with 3,315 families from
whom regular procurement is carried out in Tamil Nadu. To expand this network, TRIFED
conducts Tribal Artisan Empanelment Melas (TAeMs) across the state, providing
opportunities for more artisans and suppliers to be onboarded.
(e) To provide global market access for tribal artisans, TRIFED engages with international
bulk buyers and explores strategic partnerships through participating in international trade
fairs and expos - domestically and internationally. TRIFED is also pursuing collaborations
with Indian Missions abroad to strengthen its presence in international markets and
search the opportunities for their sales promotion. Over the years TRIFED has exported
various tribal products belonging to the broad categories like metal craft, pottery,
paintings, jewellery, textiles, gifts & assortments as well as cane & bamboo etc.
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