‘MSP for MFP scheme’

‘MSP for MFP scheme’

Question: Consider the following statement:

  1. ‘MSP for MFP scheme’ launched by Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  2. The Minor Forest Produce (MFP), also known as Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP).
    Choose the correct one:
    (a) Only(1)
    (b) Only(2)
    (c) Both (1) and (2)
    (d) None of the above
    Answer:(c)
    Related facts:

Context:

  • TRIFED under Ministry of Tribal Affairs has asked the State Nodal Departments and Implementing Agencies to initiate procurement of Minor Forest Produces (MFPs) at Minimum Support Price (MSP) from the available funds under MSP for MFP Scheme.
  • Such measures are necessary for mitigating the impact of lockdown on tribal communities.
  • This will provide much required livelihood support to the tribal gatherers and obviate the movement of middlemen from urban areas to tribal habitations, thus checking any eventuality of spread of corona virus among tribal communities.

About the Scheme:

  • The Union Cabinet, in 2013, approved a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for marketing of non-nationalized / non monopolized Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and development of a value chain for MFP through Minimum Support Price (MSP).
  • This was a measure towards social safety for MFP gatherers, who are primarily members of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) most of them in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) areas.
  • Ensure that the tribal population gets a remunerative price for the produce they collect from the forest and provide alternative employment avenues to them.
  • Establish a system to ensure fair monetary returns for forest dweller’s efforts in collection, primary processing, storage, packaging, transportation etc, while ensuring sustainability of the resource base.
  • Get them a share of revenue from the sales proceeds with costs deducted.

Minor Forest Produce (MFP):

  • The Minor Forest Produce (MFP), also known as Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP), is a major source of livelihood and provides essential food, nutrition, medicinal needs and cash income to a large number of STs who live in and around forests. An estimated 100 million forest dwellers depend on the Minor Forest Produce for food, shelter, medicines, cash income, etc.

Links:
https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=202170
https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=97552