The Koraput Forest Development Agency (KFDA) has signed an MoU with the Dabur India limited for procurement of minor forest produces (MFPs) from tribals for the year 2013-14.
This would help tribals in the south Odisha district get remunerative prices for their produces. Earlier, middlemen used to exploit the tribals.
Agents roaming in rural areas used to procure MFPs from tribals at very low prices and sell the commodities to companies at much higher prices. Now, the tribals would sell their produce directly to companies, said Chief Operating Officer of KFDA-cum-DFO Koraput Bijay Kumar Panda.
Dabur would procure at least 5,000 kg of Amla (Rs 43.25 a kg), 3,000 kg of Dhatki (Rs 18.75 a kg), 2,000 kg of Harida (Rs 20.50 a kg), 5,000 kg of Satavari (Rs 83.75 a kg) and 4,000 kg of Bahada (Rs 15.50 a kg) from at least 40 Vana Surakhya Samitis (VSSs) of the district in the next one year.
The prices for various MFPs have been fixed are 50 per cent more than the prices at which the tribals had sold the MFPs last year. Five VSSs of the laxmipur forest range have been selected as nodal VSSs for collection and marketing of the MFPs after collecting them from other VSSs, Panda said.
The National Medicinal Plants Board, which facilitated the MoU, would provide Rs 10 lakh to each nodal VSS for construction of godowns and drying yards.
If any other company agrees to procure MFPs at fixed prices or at higher rates, the offer would also considered, Panda said.