Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda and YouthNet Founder, Hekani Jakhalu Kense during the visit to Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (C) in Tuophema/Botsa under Kohima district on April 26.
Kohima, April 27 (MExN): Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda visited Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (C) being implemented by YouthNet in Tuophema/Botsa, under Kohima district on April 26.
An update from YouthNet stated that in his address to the women SHGs, chairman, village council and members and GBs and host of officers from various departments, the Minister stated that he had visited the Made in Nagaland Center in Kohima in 2019.
He appreciated YouthNet for not only successfully implementing the Van Dhan project but also for creating a common platform for showcasing and marketing the products of local entrepreneurs, artisans and SHG.
YouthNet Founder, Hekani Jakhalu Kense stated that in the past 10 years of working specifically on livelihood and entrepreneurship, the youth and entrepreneurs of Nagaland are creative and hard working but the biggest challenge that is faced is marketing the products
Hekani requested the Minister for setting up a Made in Nagaland Center in Dimapur which is also the commercial hub for Nagaland. The Center proposes to cater to showcase over 500 local products which will cater to both B2C and B2B purposes. This proposed center will not only enhance the livelihood of the people but help the economy growth which is a crucial for the development of the State, she added.
The opening remark was given by Temjen Longkumer, RCS & MD MARCOFED, which is also the implementing agency and vote of thanks pronounced by Krutsolie Zumu Secy VDB Tuophema Village. The executing agency of the said VDVKC is Toka MPCS.
A group of women demonstrated the various steps involved in weaving shawls, after which they gifted a hand woven shawl to the minister. The programme concluded with the introduction of the Vandhan's new products, such as, job's tears, sweet wild apple, gooseberry juice and hog's plum juice.
The Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED and it targets livelihood generation for tribal by harnessing the wealth of forest i.e. Van Dhan. Under this scheme, tribal community owned MFP-centric multi-purpose Van Dhan Vikas Kendras is set up in Tuophema/Botsa blocks under Kohima District where 10 SHGs/SAMUH comprising of 300 members were trained under the Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain. The scheme is implemented by YouthNet with Made In Nagaland Centre, Kohima as common facility centre for procurement and value addition.
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