Imphal : Union Minister of Tribal Affairs ArjunMunda launched the scheme “Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal Products from North-Eastern Region (PTP-NER)” in presence of Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh here on Tuesday.

The scheme aims to strengthen livelihood opportunities for tribal artisans through increased efficiency in the procurement, logistics, and marketing of tribal products from North Eastern states.

ArjunMunda said that the Union Government had been taking up initiatives for empowerment, creation of employment opportunities, and upgrading the livelihood of tribal peoples residing across the country. With such an objective, the PTP-NER scheme has been launched for the promotion of tribal products from the Northeast region.

The Union Minister informed that the PTP-NER scheme is fully funded under the Central Sector Scheme of the Government of India and a budget of around Rs.  143 croreshas been allocated towards this scheme for implementation. The scheme will apply to the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.

It is to be noted that the centre had earlier launched the “One District One Product” Scheme to make a district known for its product. The PTP-NER scheme launched will facilitate the linkage of tribal products with new markets, and provide logistic and marketing strategy support to promote it at the national and global levels.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh recalled that TRIFED was launched in the State in 2019. At that time, there were only around 30 Self Help Groups (SHGs) comprising around 450 members only. However, the number is now about to reach around 50,000 SHGs members.

Speaking on the quality and taste of products produced in the State, Biren Singh informed the Union Minister that outlets for selling products of Manipur had been opened in some big cities across the Country.

He continued that marketing and logistic development for the promotion of tribal products is the need of the hour, stressing the need for value addition, quality, and hygienic packaging for capturing markets outside the State.

Stating that earlier the SHGs working in the interior parts of hill districts did not have work sheds and proper room to dry fruits, the State Government had decided to earmark an amount of around Rs. 26.6 crores under the RIDF and constructed work sheds to facilitate them.

He informed that the State Government had also launched the “One Family One Livelihood” scheme, under which anyone from a family with no source of livelihood can apply for a loan of Rs. 10 Lakh with a 30 percent grant.

He added that Government would consider including SHGs of TRIFED so that they could also avail the benefits of the scheme to help increase their income generation.

ArjunMunda along with N. Biren Singh and others visited the stalls set up by Van DhanVikasKendras (VDVK) under different Divisions and interacted with tribal artisans.During the programme, 3 Van Dhan products from different VDVKs including Cinnamon from Kamjong, Black Rice from Ukhrul, and Dry Bamboo Shoot from Noney were also launched.