why in news? Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, launched the new Central Sector Scheme “Marketing and Logistics Development for Promotion of Tribal Products from North -Eastern Region (PTP-NER)” for the benefit of Scheduled Tribes of North-eastern Region

Highlights :

• TRIFED will collaborate with the State Governments and Agencies to ensure the complete promotion of tribal products through teamwork providing solutions and value addition for these products.
• A substantial Budget of around Rs. 143 Cr has been allocated towards this scheme for implementation.
• Through improved efficiency in the procurement, logistics, and marketing of tribal items from North Eastern States, the programme has been designed to strengthen the opportunities for tribal craftsmen to support their livelihoods.
• Through the provision of backward and forward linkages through incubation support, aggregation, skill and entrepreneurial development, sourcing and procurement, marketing, transportation, and publicity, the PTP-NER scheme will assist tribal craftsmen in taking advantage of chances to increase revenue.

About the scheme :

• This plan calls for the organisation of 68 Tribal Artisan Melas (TAMs) in the several districts of the North Eastern Region starting on April 18, 2023, in order to begin the empanelment of tribal artisans from that region.
• Tribal Artisans/ Producers shall be empanelled under this scheme by organising Tribal Artisan Melas (TAMs) and directly. The TAMs will be organised in consultation and support of District Administration and other relevant organisations/ departments working in the field etc. I
• ndividual Tribal artisans, Tribal SHGs and Government Organizations/Agencies/ VDVKs formed under the PMJVM scheme/FPOs/ tribal societies/ Tribal Producer Organizations can be empanelled.
• National & International marketing linkages through various online & offline mode shall be provided under this scheme to tribal products of NER.
• The programme also includes regular Design & Skill Development training sessions tailored to the needs of the market for tribal recipients. India Post will provide logistics support in order to meet the scheme’s goals.
• While direct exposure to tribal craftsmen would be provided to all empanelled tribal artisans under the programme through a variety of exhibitions, including Purvotar Aadi Mahotsav, Purvotar Aadi Bazaar, Exclusive North East Craft Mela, etc.

States covered:

• Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim are among the states that will be covered by the programme.

Aim:  to help our tribal entrepreneurs and beneficiaries to evolve in a greater market both at the national and international level

Associating partners:

• North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC), a corporation under the administrative control of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER), , India Post under Department of Posts, and North Eastern State Government Departments/ Agencies are being engaged as partners under the scheme.