Van Dhan Vikas Yojana, Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad, Government of Rajasthan
Van Dhan Vikas Yojana for tribal development in 8 districts of Rajasthan.
Problem
- Need for tribal community development in 8 districts of Rajasthan
- Limited knowledge on business activities, access to technology, and market accessibility among tribal villagers
- Lack of awareness among tribal women about livelihood activities
- Challenges in profitability and availability of Minor Forest Producer (MFP)
- Absence of proper facilities and infrastructure
- Absence of capacity building mechanism
Solution
- Launch of the Van Dhan Vikas Yojana in collaboration with various agencies
- Formation of 461 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, covering 1,39,329 SHGs HHs
- Comprehensive training to 1,28,350 Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Members on business activities
- Inclusion of agriculture, horticulture, and mediational produce to boost profitability
- Utilisation of government buildings for Van Dhan Vikas Kendra operations
- Collaboration with agencies for marketing, packaging and branding exercise
Outcomes
- Empowerment of approximately 300 women members per Van Dhan Vikas Kendra
- Achievement of operational training in 455 out of 461 Kendras
- Access to funds and decision-making power vested in the women members
- Availability of dedicated buildings for Kendra operations
- Potential expansion to other tribal-prevalent districts of Rajasthan
- Expansion in physical training infrastructure
- Deployment of trained Master Trainers
Project Details
Category: Empowerment and Capacity Building
Sub Category: Value Addition and Marketing
Project: Van Dhan Vikas Yojana
Organisation: Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad, Rajasthan
Start Date: 29-Mar-2022
Problem
Initiated across 8 districts of Rajasthan, the Van Dhan Vikas Yojana aimed to address the socio-economic development of the tribal communities. The tribal villagers, especially women, lacked crucial insights into business activities, access to technology, and markets. The accessibility to Minor Forest Producers was challenging due to its non-bulk availability, making some of the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras unprofitable. Moreover, tribal women had limited awareness about livelihood activities, and there was an urgent need for proper infrastructure and facilities to facilitate these activities effectively.
Solution
The Van Dhan Vikas Yojana was introduced as a comprehensive solution in partnership with various agencies, such as TRIFED, Rajas Sangh, and Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad. To address the problems, 461 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras were established, covering an impressive 1,39,329 SHGs HHs. The members were given intensive training on all facets of business activities, from collection to marketing. To tackle the profitability issues, the scope was widened to include agriculture, horticulture, and mediational produce. The Kendras were facilitated by identifying and allocating unused government buildings.
Moreover, expert trainers from diverse departments imparted essential skills, and collaborations were initiated with agencies specialising in marketing, packaging, and branding to enhance the potential success of the initiative.
Outcomes
The Van Dhan Vikas Yojana marked significant positive changes for the tribal communities. Each Kendra empowered around 300 women members, who actively engaged in various business activities. The training phase achieved remarkable success, with 455 out of 461 Kendras fully operational. These women members not only acquired vital skills but also had the autonomy to make decisions and access project funds. The dedicated buildings provided an organised space for business operations. Given the initiative’s success, there’s promising potential to replicate this project across other districts of Rajasthan with a dominant tribal population, emphasising the scalability and positive impact of the initiative.
In conclusion, the Van Dhan Vikas Yojana is a testament to the collaborative effort and strategic planning that can elevate tribal communities, granting them the tools and knowledge to be self-sufficient and prosperous.