Many of India’s 10.4 crore Scheduled Tribe persons derive 20 to 40 percent of their annual income from minor forest produce (MFP). Historically, they often sold it to middlemen at distress prices, earning less than the cost of their labour.PIB
PMJVM was set up to change this. It moves tribals from being raw produce sellers to value-adding entrepreneurs, through skilling, processing support, MSP-based procurement and market access.PIB
The mission sits within the wider policy of the Forest Rights Act, which gives forest-dwelling communities the right to collect and sell minor forest produce, and which the PIB backgrounder cites as the legal basis for tribal access to MFP.PIB
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM): quick facts
- Full form
- Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM); launched in 2021-22; nodal ministry is the Ministry of Tribal Affairs
- VDVKs
- 4,172 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras sanctioned as of 31 July 2026 (2,911 functional), linking 12.48 lakh tribal members
- MSP coverage
- MSP notified for 87 minor forest produce items
Key facts
| Full form | Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM); launched in 2021-22; nodal ministry is the Ministry of Tribal AffairsPIB |
|---|---|
| VDVKs | 4,172 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras sanctioned as of 31 July 2026 (2,911 functional), linking 12.48 lakh tribal membersPIB |
| MSP coverage | MSP notified for 87 minor forest produce itemsPIB |
| MFP procurement | 2,67,954 metric tonnes worth ₹693.98 crore procured by state governments since 2013-14PIB |
Key features and how it works
- Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK): 15 self-help groups of about 20 gatherers each (about 300 tribals) are clustered into one VDVK. At least 60 percent of members must be Scheduled Tribes.PIB
- Minimum Support Price: TRIFED buys non-timber forest produce at the pre-determined MSP, whatever the market price, through a network of state implementing agencies such as tribal development cooperatives and forest development corporations.PIB
- Skilling and equipment: training on scientific harvesting and value addition for 30 members, plus primary processing tools such as cutting and sieving tools, decorticators, dryers and packaging tools.PIB
- Infrastructure and finance: infrastructure support for SHGs and working capital facilitated through financial institutions and banks.PIB
- Market access: VDVKs are set up around haats (primary MFP procurement points), with market intelligence on daily rates and e-commerce, and support through fairs, exhibitions and branding.PIB
Eligibility and rules
- Beneficiaries are tribal MFP gatherers organised into self-help groups; at least 60 percent of VDVK members must be from Scheduled Tribe communities.PIB
Static GK
- TRIFED (Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India): founded 1987 and operational from 1988, a national cooperative body under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs; its mandate includes institutionalising MFP trade and giving tribals fair prices for their produce.Wikipedia
- National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC): an apex organisation for the economic development of Scheduled Tribes that provides concessional finance through channelising agencies.Wikipedia
- Forest Rights Act: the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, passed on 18 December 2006.Wikipedia
- Ministry of Tribal Affairs: set up in 1999 after the bifurcation of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment; it is the nodal ministry for overall policy, planning and coordination of development programmes for Scheduled Tribes.Wikipedia
- Van Dhan Yojana: launched on 14 April 2018 as a pilot in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, where a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra was set up.Wikipedia
Achievements
- As of March 2026, 4,172 VDVKs were sanctioned, covering 12.48 lakh beneficiaries.PIB
- State governments procured 2,67,954 metric tonnes of MFP worth ₹693.98 crore under the scheme since 2013-14.PIB
- The mission has moved tribal gatherers from selling raw produce to middlemen toward community-owned enterprises with processing and market links.
Challenges
- Tribal gatherers have long sold MFP to middlemen at low prices, receiving only a fraction of its market value.PIB
- Perishable forest produce and weak marketing infrastructure in tribal areas make it difficult for gatherers to profit and access markets directly.Wikipedia
- Gap between sanctioned and functional units: of 4,172 sanctioned VDVKs, 2,911 were functional, so new kendras need support to stay running.PIB
Way forward
- Outcome monitoring of functional VDVKs, tracking sales and members rather than only sanctions.
- Handholding for new kendras on processing, bookkeeping and marketing so that they survive their first years.
- Convergence with NSTFDC credit, state forest and cooperative bodies, and market platforms to give working capital and wider buyers.
Timeline
14 November 2026
Ministry of Tribal Affairs marks Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada (1-15 Nov 2026) to speed up PMJVM; 4,172 VDVKs sanctioned and MSP notified for 87 MFP items, with ₹168 crore reported VDVK sales.
Read the storyundefined 2021
PMJVM launched.PIB
2021
15 November designated Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas by the Government of India.PIB
14 April 2018
Van Dhan Yojana launched as a pilot in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, with a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra.Wikipedia
undefined 2013
MSP for MFP scheme launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED in 2013-14.Wikipedia
18 December 2006
Forest Rights Act passed by Parliament, giving rights over minor forest produce.Wikipedia
1987
TRIFED established; operational from 1988.Wikipedia
Every new story on this subject is added here automatically.
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of PMJVM?
Q: What is the full form of PMJVM? A: PMJVM stands for Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission, launched in 2021-22.PIB
Which body buys minor forest produce under PMJVM at MSP?
TRIFED buys non-timber forest produce at the pre-determined MSP through state implementing agencies.PIB
How many minor forest produce items have MSP under PMJVM?
The government has notified MSP for 87 minor forest produce items under PMJVM.PIB
GS paper mapping
- GS-2Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation (welfare schemes for Scheduled Tribes)
- GS-2Mechanisms, laws, institutions and bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections
- GS-3Inclusive growth and issues arising from it; forest produce and livelihood
Sources
Every fact on this page was checked against these pages.
