Van Dhan Yojana: Supporting Tribal Self Help Groups

The Van Dhan Yojana, also known as the Van Dhan Tribal Start-ups Programme, is a significant initiative launched by the Government of India. Its primary aim is to empower tribal communities by leveraging their traditional knowledge and access to Minor Forest Produce (MFP). The scheme focuses on establishing Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) to add value to MFP gathered by tribal people, thereby improving their livelihoods.

Tribal Self Help Groups in Van Dhan Yojana

Under the Van Dhan Yojana, the foundational unit for economic activities and value addition are the self-help groups (SHGs) formed by tribal gatherers. These SHGs play a crucial role in the collection, processing, and marketing of Minor Forest Produce.

• A key component of the Van Dhan Yojana is the formation of Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) clusters.
• Each VDVK cluster typically comprises 10 tribal self-help groups (SHGs).
• Each self-help group consists of up to 20 tribal gatherers.
• Therefore, one Van Dhan Vikas Kendra cluster effectively brings together approximately 200 tribal gatherers to work collectively.
• The scheme aims to enhance the income of tribal communities by promoting skill development, capacity building, and providing necessary infrastructure for value addition to forest produce.

The Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) acts as the nodal agency for the implementation of the Van Dhan Yojana, ensuring its reach and effectiveness across tribal regions.

Based on the structure of the Van Dhan Yojana, the number of self-help groups of tribal gatherers constituted as part of each cluster to form a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra is 10.