**Executive Summary**
The Van Dhan Conclave, themed “Sustainable Livelihoods for Tribal India,” was inaugurated on March 29, 2026, at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, as part of the Bharat Tribes Fest 2026. Organized by TRIFED, the event focuses on empowering tribal communities through entrepreneurship, value addition of Minor Forest Produce (MFP), and enhanced market linkages. The broader festival remains open to the public until April 5, 2026, to promote tribal craftsmanship and heritage.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Core Objectives and Leadership**
* **Inauguration:** The conclave was opened by Shri Durgadas Uikey, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs, emphasizing the government's commitment to tribal empowerment.
* **Strategic Focus:** Emphasis is placed on innovation, convergence, and market integration to build sustainable livelihood ecosystems for tribal entrepreneurs.
* **Sustainability:** Key leaders highlighted the preservation of traditional knowledge systems and the promotion of sustainable practices such as reuse and recycling.
**Thematic Deliberations**
* **Grassroots Solutions:** Focused on community engagement and identifying practical solutions at the local level.
* **Operational Frameworks:** Addressed legal frameworks and the operational challenges faced by tribal initiatives.
* **Value Chain Strengthening:** Dedicated sessions focused on strengthening Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) value chains.
* **Market Expansion:** Discussions centered on expanding both domestic and international market access for tribal products.
**Scheme Achievements and Statistics**
* **Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM):** Under this mission, 4,172 VDVKs have been sanctioned, benefiting over 12.48 lakh tribal members.
* **PMJANMAN Scheme:** 540 PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) VDVKs have been sanctioned, benefiting approximately 0.46 lakh members.
* **Collaborative Participation:** The event brought together Central and State Governments, private sector stakeholders, NGOs, and international organizations for knowledge exchange.
**Impact Analysis**
**Tribal Artisans and Entrepreneurs**
**Impact**
Artisans receive increased visibility, appreciation for their craftsmanship, and opportunities to expand their market reach through value addition of Minor Forest Produce.
**Action Required**
Engage with VDVKs to utilize value-addition techniques and participate in market integration initiatives to strengthen their income.
**TRIFED and Ministry of Tribal Affairs**
**Impact**
These bodies reaffirm their role as pivotal facilitators of socio-economic development and market linkages for tribal products.
**Action Required**
Continue the implementation of PMJVM and PMJANMAN schemes and facilitate further thematic sessions for knowledge exchange among stakeholders.
**Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs)**
**Impact**
VDVKs are positioned as the primary vehicles for strengthening value chains and delivering grassroots solutions to tribal members.
**Action Required**
Address legal and operational challenges identified during the conclave to improve the efficiency of tribal trade.
**General Public / Visitors**
**Impact**
The public gains exposure to India’s rich tribal heritage and has the opportunity to support tribal livelihoods directly.
**Action Required**
Attend the Bharat Tribes Fest 2026 at Sunder Nursery before it concludes on April 5, 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
TRIFED: The nodal agency under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs responsible for implementing the Van Dhan initiative and promoting trade in tribal products.
Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK): Grassroots units established to strengthen value chains, provide value addition, and enhance market linkages for Minor Forest Produce collected by tribal communities.
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): A government mission aimed at the socio-economic development of tribal communities through the sanctioning and support of livelihood centers.
PMJANMAN: A dedicated scheme focused on empowering Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), including the establishment of specialized VDVKs.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs: The central government ministry responsible for policy formulation, planning, and coordination of programs for tribal welfare and sustainable livelihoods.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Van Dhan Conclave at Bharat Tribes Fest 2026
Highlights Government’s Commitment to
Sustainable Tribal Livelihoods
MoS Shri Durgadas Uikey Inaugurates Conclave; Interacts
with Artisans and Emphasizes Value Addition of Minor Forest
Produce
Posted On: 29 MAR 2026 8:24PM by PIB Delhi
The Van Dhan Conclave, themed “Sustainable Livelihoods for Tribal India”, was inaugurated today by
Shri Durgadas Uikey, Hon’ble Minister of State for Tribal Affairs at Sunder Nursery, New Delhi, as part of
the ongoing Bharat Tribes Fest 2026. The conclave was organized by TRIFED under the Ministry of
Tribal Affairs.
On the occasion, the Minister visited various stalls at the Bharat Tribes Fest Bazaar and interacted with
tribal artisans, appreciating their craftsmanship and encouraging them to expand their market reach while
preserving India’s rich tribal heritage.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Uikey stated that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi, the Government remains committed to empowering tribal communities through
sustainable livelihood opportunities, entrepreneurship promotion, and enhanced value addition of MinorForest Produce (MFP). He emphasized that the Van Dhan initiative has been instrumental in strengthening
incomes and market linkages for tribal communities.
The inaugural session featured opening remarks by Managing Director, TRIFED, Shri M. Rajamurugan,
IPS, a keynote address by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Shri Manish Thakur, and
insights from Padma Shri awardee Shri Chaitram Devchand Pawar. The conclave brought together
policymakers, experts, academicians, and tribal entrepreneurs for deliberations on strengthening tribal
livelihoods.
Shri Manish Thakur highlighted the importance of innovation, convergence, and market integration in
building sustainable livelihood ecosystems. Padma Shri Chaitram Devchand Pawar emphasized the need
for capacity building, preservation of traditional knowledge systems, and promotion of sustainable
practices such as reuse and recycling.
The conclave featured four thematic sessions focusing on:
Community engagement and grassroots solutions
Legal frameworks and operational challenges
Strengthening Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) value chains
Expanding domestic and international market access
The event witnessed participation from Central Ministries, State Governments, VDVKs, private sector
stakeholders, NGOs, and international organizations, facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration.TRIFED continues to play a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of tribal communities by
promoting trade in Minor Forest Produce and tribal products. Under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas
Mission (PMJVM), 4,172 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras have been sanctioned, benefiting over 12.48 lakh
tribal members across the country. Additionally, under the PMJANMAN scheme, 540 PVTG VDVKs
have been sanctioned, benefiting approximately 0.46 lakh members.
The Van Dhan Conclave reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable growth by
strengthening tribal livelihoods and integrating tribal producers with evolving markets.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED reiterated their commitment to empowering tribal
communities through initiatives that promote sustainable livelihoods, preserve traditional knowledge, and
enhance market linkages.Visitors are encouraged to attend Bharat Tribes Fest 2026, which continues till April 5, 2026, and
experience the vibrant culture and enterprise of Tribal India.
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