Big Basket To Market Tribal Products As Part Of Central Government Initiative To Boost Communities' Welfare

Aiming at economic empowerment of tribals, TRIFED (Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India) has joined hands with Big Basket and Purty Agrotech for the promotion and sale of the natural Van Dhan products offering better marketing opportunities at both in the domestic and global markets.

Describing the initiatives of the Centre as a "game changer for the tribal livelihoods", Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda has said, “The government is taking up ambitious transformational programmes for the benefit of tribal people."

Speaking at the launch of two major initiatives for boosting tribal livelihoods — one with signing of an MoU between TRIFED and Big Basket and the other, an MoU between TRIFED and Purty Agrotech of Jharkhand — Munda added, "As we celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, it is the vision of the Prime Minister that we reach out to the person at the last mile and works towards establishing an Atmanirbhar Bharat."

He further remarked that it was in this spirit that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED are working on a war footing to bring about social and economic empowerment of tribal people through a large number of such initiatives.

The MoU between TRIFED and Big Basket is for the promotion and sale of the natural Van Dhan products through Big Basket platform, while the MoU between TRIFED and Purty Agrotech will promote the art of growing pearls among tribal entrepreneurs across India and tap the potential of this market.

Munda explained that the tribal artisans, tribal producers, their products and livelihood programmes are the focus of the Prime Minister.

He further elaborated that now, tribal products are being brought into the market through value addition and ensuring outstanding quality with the help of research and design through TRIFED and various initiatives of the Tribal Affairs Ministry.

Tribal people have hidden talents and a great potential for making excellent products and they believe in “Mera Van-Mera Dhan-Mera Udhyam”.

As a nation, it is our duty to ensure that their skills, arts and crafts are not lost for posterity, and therefore these programmes have been launched today to benefit the tribals countrywide, the Minister added.

TRIFED Managing Director Pravir Krishna said that TRIFED was working day and night to find new and better marketing opportunities, both domestically and internationally, for the unique tribal products and minor forest produce.

He further added that these two initiatives will become operational from October 2 this year and will give a new thrust to tribal livelihoods.

TRIFED is continuing to forge partnerships with different organisations to create synergies as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the lives and livelihoods of tribals.

E-grocery has been one of the fastest-growing segments in the consumer e-commerce space and its growth is propelled by India’s rising consumption and digital penetration.

The current pandemic has further accelerated its adoption as consumers seek the convenience of ordering quality groceries delivered safely at home.

TRIFED will empanel Purty Agrotech as a supplier to Tribes India and procure pearls which shall be sold through the network of 141 Tribes India outlets and various e-commerce platforms.