TRIFED to Launch ‘Tech for Tribals’ initiative

• TRIFED, IIT-Kanpur and Chhattisgarh MFP Federation will together carry out a unique initiative called 'Tech for Tribals' 

• "Tech for Tribals" aims at the holistic development of tribals with a focus on entrepreneurship development, soft skills, IT, and business development

New Delhi: TRIFED under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with Chhattisgarh MFP Federation and IIT-Kanpur set to launch the 'Tech for Tribals' initiative on Tuesday. In a statement, TRIFED said that in order to provide advanced level training to the Vandhan tribal beneficiaries, TRIFED has collaborated with MSME through its ESDP scheme for providing skill upgrading and entrepreneurial capacity-building support to the Van Dhan tribal beneficiaries to establish their sustainable enterprise. The program titled "Tech for Tribals" aims at the holistic development of tribals with a focus on entrepreneurship development, soft skills, IT, and business development through SHGs operating through Van Dhan Kendras (VDVKs).

Under this initiative, TRIFED has tied up reputed national institutions such as IIT-Kanpur; Art of Living, Bangalore; TISS, Mumbai; KISS, Bhubaneswar; Vivekananda Kendra, Tamil Nadu and SRIJAN, Rajasthan, for conducting Vandhan-ESDP Training Programs in the states of Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. 'Tech for Tribals' is a unique program to make tribals of India "Aatmanirbhar", focussing to bridge the gap between tribal entrepreneurs and urban markets.

The beneficiaries will undergo a 30 days program over six weeks comprising 120 sessions. The training will be initially held from October 12 to November 7, 2020, in which Vandhan beneficiaries across all districts of Chhattisgarh state will be trained on various facets of micro-enterprise creation, management and functioning. The training module developed by IIT, Kanpur will be disseminated among beneficiaries in a phased manner through various modes like online lectures and pieces of training, online activities and gradually move to face to face interactions in classrooms, practical, onsite visits and exposure visits.

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The training also comprises of exposure through onsite demos on best practices in manufacturing, Total Quality, Hygiene, and standards to be followed in the market. The relevant branding and implementation of best in class packaging solutions are expected to add value to the indigenous Minor Forest Produces and subsequently propagating entrepreneurship among the tribals. The expected outcome shall be successful, aspiring and confident tribal entrepreneurs ready to compete with the best products in the market with feasible business plans.

Under this initiative, IIT-Kanpur will run the skill development program of tribal youth across Chhattisgarh and Kerala to help them build their enterprise by commercializing the products using MFPs. This program will mainly entail three aspects of development for sustainable entrepreneurship which can be considered as the three pillars – Engagement, Capacity Building, and Market linkages. This will lead to the path of commercialization of the tribal entrepreneurs.

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