Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)

The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. It was established in 1987 with the objective of promoting the economic development of tribal communities in India through the marketing of their products and services.

History and Objectives

TRIFED was founded on August 6, 1987, as a national-level cooperative society under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 1984. The organization was created to address the challenges faced by tribal communities in marketing their products and to provide them with a sustainable livelihood.

The main objectives of TRIFED are:

• To provide marketing assistance and support to tribal communities for the sale of their products.
• To promote the economic development of tribal communities by enhancing their income through the marketing of their products.
• To create a sustainable market for tribal products by establishing a network of retail outlets and e-commerce platforms.
• To promote the use of modern technology and quality control measures in the production and marketing of tribal products.
• To provide skill development and capacity-building programs for tribal artisans and producers.

Organizational Structure

TRIFED is a national-level apex organization that works in collaboration with various state-level tribal development corporations and cooperatives. The organization has a three-tier structure, consisting of:

• The Board of Directors, which is the highest decision-making body of TRIFED.
• The Executive Committee, which is responsible for the implementation of the policies and decisions made by the Board of Directors.
• The Regional Offices, which are responsible for the day-to-day operations of TRIFED at the state and district levels.

TRIFED has its headquarters in New Delhi and has regional offices in various parts of the country.

Initiatives and Schemes

TRIFED has launched several initiatives and schemes to promote the economic development of tribal communities in India. Some of the key initiatives include:

• Retail Marketing Development (RMD): Under this initiative, TRIFED establishes retail outlets called “Tribes India” in various parts of the country to market tribal products directly to consumers.
• Institutional Marketing: TRIFED supplies tribal products to various government and private institutions, such as the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Tourism, and Air India.
• E-Commerce: TRIFED has launched an e-commerce platform called “tribesindia.com” to provide tribal artisans and producers with access to a wider market.
• Van Dhan Yojana: This scheme, launched in 2018, aims to promote the collection, processing, and marketing of minor forest produce (MFP) by tribal communities.
• Skill Development and Capacity Building: TRIFED provides training and capacity-building programs for tribal artisans and producers to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Impact and Achievements

TRIFED has made significant contributions to the economic development of tribal communities in India. Some of the key achievements of the organization include:

• Establishment of a network of over 100 “Tribes India” retail outlets across the country.
• Successful marketing of tribal products worth over Rs. 1,000 crore (approximately $135 million) since its inception.
• Providing employment and income-generating opportunities to over 1.5 million tribal artisans and producers.
• Successful implementation of the Van Dhan Yojana, which has benefited over 3.6 lakh tribal gatherers and 18,000 self-help groups.