.jpg)
Dimapur, August 10 (MExN): For successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMDVY) scheme, YouthNet VDVKC under Nagaland state was conferred with three State Van Dhan awards during the first Van Dhan Annual Awards, 2020-21 at the celebration of 34th foundation day of TRIFED, Ministry of Tribal Affairs on August 6 last.
The three awards- ‘Scale of diversified operations at VDVKC’, ‘Maximum range of value-added items produced & marketed’, ‘Best Innovation and Most Creative Marketing Idea’, were presented by the Regional Manager NE, TRIFED through a Zoom webinar.
YouthNet in association with Nagaland State Co-operative Marketing & Consumers Federation Ltd. (MARCOFED) and Department of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, government of Nagaland launched Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) in Tuophema Botsa Blocks under Kohima District.
Under this scheme, tribal community owned MFP-centric multi-purpose Van Dhan Vikas Kendras is set up in Tuophema Botsa blocks where 15 SHGs/SAMUH comprising of 300 members were trained under the Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain, a press release from Razouvikhol Luho (Business Development & Corporate Communications, YouthNet) informed on Tuesday.
The scheme is implemented by YouthNet with Made In Nagaland Centre (MIN) Kohima as common facility centre for procurement and value addition to locally available MFPs and skill-based handicrafts.
VDVK is a component of the mechanism for marketing of MFP through MSP and Development of Value Chain for MFP scheme, branding and marketing of MFP by establishing VDVKs to provide employment for tribal populations and increase in their income.
YouthNet VDVKC, since its inception, has produced and marketed a wide array of value-added products ranging from gooseberry, rosella, tsumoh, oranges and honey. These products have been processed and packaged by SHG members of the VDVKC, the release added.
To increase the income of VDVKs, initiatives have been taken to diversify the production items for capturing more markets by including MFPs, agri-based items, horti-based items, medicinal plants, floriculture and others as the scheme offers huge potential of creating livelihood opportunities for the tribal beneficiaries and to ensure that such enterprises run sustainably year-round, YouthNet informed.
