Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce
Central grants for tribal product marketing, skilling & supply chain · TRIFED & state tribal corps eligible
This central government scheme by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides institutional grant funding to agencies like TRIFED, state tribal cooperatives, and forest development corporations to strengthen the production, marketing, pricing, and skill development ecosystem for tribal products — including forest produce, handicrafts, and agricultural goods. The goal is to ensure tribal communities get fair market prices and sustainable livelihoods. Implementing agencies (not individuals) submit proposals through their State Tribal/Welfare Department to the Ministry.
About This Scheme
This central government scheme by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs provides institutional grant funding to agencies like TRIFED, state tribal cooperatives, and forest development corporations to strengthen the production, marketing, pricing, and skill development ecosystem for tribal products — including forest produce, handicrafts, and agricultural goods. The goal is to ensure tribal communities get fair market prices and sustainable livelihoods. Implementing agencies (not individuals) submit proposals through their State Tribal/Welfare Department to the Ministry.
Full official description
The scheme “Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce” was introduced in 2014-15 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. The scheme is implemented by revising and merging existing two separate schemes - "Market Development of Tribal Products/Produce" and "Grant-in-Aid to State Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation for Minor Forest Produce Operation". The Scope:
- To give comprehensive support for people belonging to various tribes in the entire range of production, product development, reservation of traditional heritage, support to both forest and agricultural produce of tribal people, support to both forest and agriculture produce of tribal people, support to Institutions to carry the above activities, provision of better infrastructure, development of designs, dissemination of information about price and the agencies which are buying the products, support to Government agencies for sustainable marketing and thereby ensure a reasonable price regime.
- Sharing of information with Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha
- Skill upgradation, development of utilitarian products for increase in value market.
Benefits
- Funding for market interventions: price fixation, procurement, grading, standardization, certification, and promotion of tribal products
- Training and skill upgradation support for tribal producers to develop higher-value products
- R&D and IPR assistance: new product development, traditional knowledge documentation, GI tagging
- Supply chain infrastructure grants: warehousing, cold storage, and processing facility development
- Trade information systems: market data collection and dissemination to tribal communities
💡 Why Startups Should Care
If you're building a marketplace for tribal artisan products, this scheme funds the exact supply-chain, processing, and market linkage infrastructure you'd need at scale — partner with TRIFED or a state tribal corp to access this without bearing full CapEx yourself.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility)
- Available to institutions only (not individuals): TRIFED; State Tribal Development Cooperative Corporations; State Forest Development Corporations; Minor Forest Produce Trading & Development Federations; Other institutions working on tribal product design, development, export, training, patenting, research, or GI certification
- Implementing agencies must certify they have not received funds from other sources for the same proposed activities
How to Apply
- Prepare a detailed proposal and action plan with budget requirements for the current and future financial years.
- TRIFED submits proposals directly to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs; all other agencies submit through their Nodal Ministry or Department.
- Include utilization certificates as per General Financial Rules.
- Certify that no other central scheme funds have been received for the same activities.
- State governments must sponsor proposals for agencies under their jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the objective of the scheme?
The objective of the Scheme is to create institutions for the Scheduled Tribes to support marketing and development of activities they depend on for their livelihood.
Which is the implementing agency of this scheme?
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India
When was this scheme launched?
The scheme was launched in the year 2014-15.
Is it a Central Sector Scheme?
Yes, this is a Central Sector Scheme and 100% Grant-in-aid will be provided by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to Implementing Agencies.
What are the various activities to be undertaken under the scheme?
The activities like Market Intervention, Training and Skill upgradation, R&D/IPR Activity, Supply Chain Infrastructure Development, Trade Information System, Creating brands or brands for tribal produce/products & Developing product designs keeping in view the export market and support for exports
What are the Implementing Agencies?
Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED),State Tribal Development Cooperative Corporations, State Forest Development Corporations (SDCs),Minor Forest produce (Trading and Development) Federations (MFPTDFs),Other institutions identified for product design, development, export processing, training of tribal producers, patenting and trademark, research, GI certification, and activities ancillary to the above.
How can proposal be submitted under the scheme?
The Implementing Agencies (IA) would be responsible for preparing the proposal and detailed action plan along with budgetary requirements and submitting it to the State Tribal/Welfare Department well in advance.
Ready to apply?
Visit the official government portal to apply for this scheme.
Apply on myScheme.gov.inDocuments Required
- Registration certificate of corporation or institution
- Authorised and paid-up share capital details
- Last 3 years' turnover details and current year projections
- Last 3 years' profit/loss statements
- Year-wise grants received under this scheme (with pending UCs)
- Annual reports and balance sheets for the last 3 years
- Any other documents as required