Manipur named 'Champion State' for successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 09 2020: An informative cum knowledge webinar organised by Press Information Bureau and TRIFED on October 1 on "Success Story on Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana - driving Atmanirbhar Bharat - Go vocal for local- for Tribal Communities in North East" attended by Arjun Munda, Minister for Tribal affairs, Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region & Chief Ministers and Forests Ministers, Tribal Ministers along with officials of State Implementing Agency/Nodal Department.

In the webinar, Manipur is named as a "Champion State" in the country for its successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana.

Since, the launching of PMVDY in 2019 by the Chief Minister Manipur N Biren Singh, 100 VDVKs have been established with the formation on 1557 SHGs benefitting 30189 tribal entrepreneurs in 14 (fourteen) Forest Divisions of Manipur.

The Van Dhan Kendras have reported sales of MFP products worth Rs 49.10 Lakhs.

Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister, the programme is being facilitated and monitored at the highest level by active involvement of Forest Minister Awangbow Newmai and PCCF & HoFF Kereilhouvi Angami, IFS.

To ensure the successful implementation on the ground, Gaithaolu Thaimei, IFS Nodal Officer, TRIFED, Manipur is playing an active role.

In the field level, the territorial DFOs are mentoring the VDVKs with ample support from District administration and other stakeholders through team meetings, Advocacy, workshops, trainings, including innovative branding and packaging of the value added items and optimise income through sale of the products thereby, improving the livelihood of the VDVK members.

Various Cluster-wise Training/ Skill development and upgradation for value addition of NTFPs and entrepreneurial management are organized by the DFOs at the district levels through Master Trainers such as Zingran Foods, Meira Foods, Kangla Foods, Thangjam Agro Industries (Likla), KVK, etc., Innovative and attractive packaging and branding designs has been customized locally by engaging young talents of the State.

Distribution of tool-kits is carried out at the district level by the DFOs involving DCs and other line departments, stakeholders to the Van Dhan Kendras members.

The tools distributed are basic tools/equipments required for value addition of MFP at unit level such as cooking pot, stove, lighter, knife, basket, weighing machine, sealing machine, grinder, drying machines, containers, bottles, sieving tool, spoon.

Aprons, caps, gloves, masks are also provided for hygienic handling of Van Dhan products.

Van Dhan products have hit the retail market both local and outside the State.

Van Dhan Products under the brand name Manipur Van Dhan Naturals have been launched with its wide array of products such as fruit candy (alma, pineapple, wildapple, ginger, fig, tamarind), jam (pineapple, alma, plum), juice & squash (pineapple, alma, wildapple, plum, Burmese grapes), spices (dalchini, turmeric, ginger,) pickles (bamboo shoot, king chilly), fermented bamboo shoots and more.

About 144 Manipur Van Dhan Products have been coded by TRIFED/ TRIBES INDIA.

The Manipur Van Dhan Naturals have entered the retail market of 13 major cities of the country through TRIBES INDIA.

The State has set high standards for ensuring food safety by tying up with the Food and Safety Officer of Health Department for continuous improvement in the value addition operation through quality checks at the VDVK level.

VDVK has also obtained certification such as Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for better product acceptance.

Manipur Van Dhan has made much progress in the implementation of the scheme because of sincere efforts, dedication and determination by the VDVK members.

The VDVK members have collectively worked starting from collection of MFPs through sustainable harvesting, value addition, packaging, branding and marketing of the products.

Registration of additional 100 (One hundred) VDVKs with TRIFED : India are under process through TRIFED Mobile app and Van Dhan web.

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