For millions of tribal and forest-dwelling communities, forests are an important source of both natural resources and livelihoods. Products such as honey, tendu leaves, mahua flowers, tamarind, lac, bamboo and medicinal plants contribute significantly to household incomes.
The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) aims to strengthen this forest-based economy by helping tribal communities move beyond selling raw produce and participate in processing, value addition and marketing.
According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Minor Forest Produce (MFP) accounts for around 20-40% of the annual income of many Scheduled Tribe households.
Minor Forest Produce broadly refers to non-timber forest products of plant origin. Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, the category includes products such as bamboo, cane, honey, wax, lac, tendu leaves, medicinal plants, herbs, roots and tubers.
Forest gatherers have traditionally collected and sold these products. However, limited market access and dependence on intermediaries can reduce the share of the final market value received by producers.
Launched in 2021-22, PMJVM seeks to create a more organised ecosystem for collecting, processing and marketing Minor Forest Produce.
The mission focuses on:
- Skill development
- Value addition
- Processing infrastructure
- Market linkages
- Storage and transportation
- Branding and promotion
- Community-owned enterprises
A key part of the programme is the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) model.
VDVKs bring tribal forest gatherers together through self-help groups and support them in primary processing and value addition.
A typical VDVK is formed by clustering around 15 self-help groups, with approximately 300 tribal members. At least 60% of members are required to belong to Scheduled Tribe communities.
As of July 31, 2026, the government had sanctioned 4,172 VDVKs, of which 2,911 were functional. Together, they had linked 12.48 lakh tribal members and reported sales of around ₹168 crore.
The model allows communities to convert locally available resources into higher-value products such as processed foods, spices and herbal products.
PMJVM provides assistance across the value chain.
Skill development: Tribal gatherers receive training in scientific harvesting, processing and value addition.
Infrastructure and equipment: VDVKs can receive support for facilities and equipment such as dryers, decorticators, cutting and sieving tools and packaging systems.
Finance: Financial linkages are facilitated through banks, financial institutions and the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation.
Storage and transport: Support is also available for storage and transportation on a rental basis.
The Minimum Support Price mechanism is another important component of the government’s approach.
The government has notified MSP for 87 Minor Forest Produce items. TRIFED purchases MFP through state implementing agencies at predetermined prices, helping protect producers from sharp market fluctuations.
Since 2013-14, state governments have procured 2,67,954 metric tonnes of MFP worth ₹693.98 crore under the scheme.
The Forest Rights Act also recognises the rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers to procure and sell MFP.
PMJVM also focuses on improving access to markets.
VDVKs are established around local Haat Bazaars, which serve as important procurement points for forest products. There are more than 5,000 such haats in tribal areas.
The government is working to improve these markets through infrastructure such as permanent structures, storage facilities, drinking water, shade and weighing equipment.
TRIFED also supports market intelligence, branding, exhibitions, artisan fairs and e-commerce opportunities. Other initiatives include geo-tagging VDVKs, developing Geographical Indications for tribal products and upgrading digital platforms.
Women play a major role in collecting, processing and selling forest produce, making the VDVK model an important avenue for economic empowerment.
One example is the Nyigamane, Ho Yorbe, Medumhagdum VDVK in Leparada district of Arunachal Pradesh.
Established in October 2021, the VDVK has 300 women self-help group members and farmers. It processes local forest and agricultural produce into products including King Chilli pickle, bamboo shoot pickle, turmeric powder, ginger powder, pineapple jam and fruit-based beverages.
According to the Ministry, the VDVK has recorded sales of ₹11 lakh since 2022-23.
The broader objective of PMJVM is to combine traditional tribal knowledge and locally available resources with modern processing, technology and market access.
By encouraging communities to process, brand and market finished products, the programme aims to increase the value retained by tribal producers.
The approach also emphasises community ownership, sustainable harvesting and stronger integration with domestic and digital markets.
