TRIFED chairman Ramsinh Rathwa inspects Van Dhan cluster at Topatoli, Sonapur
GUWAHATI: Ramsinh Rathwa, Chairman, TRIFED under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, recently visited the Van Dhan Vikash Kendra Cluster implemented by IIE at Topatoli, Sonapur near here, stated a press release.
The Van Dhan Vikash Kendra Cluster has been established under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY). The PMVDY programme is sponsored TRIFED under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India and implemented by IIE in Assam.
Rathwa, while addressing the gathering during his visit to the Kendra, said that due to the Prime Minister's initiative on this scheme, many local products are being known all over India due to which local products are getting recognition. He also explained about the market value of the Minor Forest Produce which has been traditionally used by the tribes of the region.
He also said that more focus has to be made through skill development programmes on alternative livelihood promotion for Scheduled Tribes women in the State with an aim for boosting entrepreneurship among tribal women and making them economically self-reliant by collaborative efforts of Government agencies.
Van Dhan Vikash Kendra Cluster, Sonapur has got 30 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) comprising of 300 beneficiaries. The primary Minor Forest Produce available in Sonapur includes turmeric, banana, betel nut, black pepper and rice.
Rathwa visited various stalls where TRISSAM products like turmeric, betel nut, banana, rice, handloom, bamboo, food, jewellery etc., were displayed by the beneficiaries.
During his visit, Rathwa interacted with the beneficiaries on one-to-one basis to take stock of the benefit the centre has derived and the opportunity and problems they have met, so that a realistic approach can be taken further.
Dr Lalit Sharma, Director, IIE, AD Mishra, Regional Manager, TRIFED, Guwahati, Prasanta Goswami, Faculty Member, IIE, Dr Bhakar J Saud, Project Head, PMVDY IIE, along with officials from APTDC, WBPTC, KVIC and IIE were present during the Chairman's visit.
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