TRIFED has been exploring convergences and partnerships with like-minded organisations to create synergies together with the main aim of tribal empowerment. The organisation has aligned with the Minister of Food Processing (MoFPI). MoFPI is implementing the Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme, which is a landmark initiative under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan to support micro-level food entreprenuers, FPOs, SHGs and co-operatives. An important component of this scheme is the tribal sub-plan.
A communique, to define the convergence mechanism in implementation of this scheme, was signed between Deepak Khandekar, Secretary Minister of Tribal Affairs and Pushpa Subrahmanyam, Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing in the presence of Arjun Munda, Minister of Tribal Affairs, Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing, Thawar Chand Gehlot, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Rameswar Teli, MoS, MoFPI and Pravir Krishna, Managing Director, TRIFED.
Other than the communique, an MoU was also signed between TRIFED and MoFPI to detail the key areas of the collaboration.
With the necessary funding under the PM-FME scheme of MoFPI, the TriFood range of tribal food products would be developed, branded and packaged by TRIFED. It has also been agreed that the SHGs working under the Van Dhan Yojana would be provided support for handholding, training, capital investment and working capital. As a part of capacity building, it has been decided that MoFPI under PM-FME scheme would also provide necessary funds to TRIFED to undertake training, capacity building of tribals engaged in food processing. In addition, funds would be provided to TRIFED for product development and improved packaging for tribal food products.
As a part of taking tribal welfare and development to the next logical phase, other convergences with various Ministries, Departments and expert institutions such as Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), DMF, ICAR Ministry of AYUSH are being planned with the aim of improving sustainable livelihoods and income opportunities for these tribals.
With the successful implementation of this collaboration and many more forthcoming convergences, TRIFED hopes to transform the tribal lives and livelihoods across the country.