Van Dhan Vikas Kendras
Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) is a national initiative by TRIFED that aims to enhance livelihood generation for tribal communities, thereby helping them become entrepreneurs. It is a unique business concept operated under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), launched by the Government of India in 2018. The primary objective of this scheme is to transform NTFP (Non-Timber Forest Products) collectors (tribal
communities) and local farmers into entrepreneurs through value addition, branding, and marketing of their products. The formation of VDVKs is significant in the context where tribal communities and local farmers often sell NTFPs to private and outside parties.
VDVKs can play a significant role in consolidating the collection of NTFPs, avoiding exploitation by intermediaries and other external entities. They also help professionalize value addition, branding, and sales of NTFPs through rigorous training, and financial and
technical support. Support for training, distribution of toolkits, installation of machinery, packing, and marketing of various products are additionally provided under the Van Dhan Yojana scheme. The livelihoods of forest-dependent communities and the rural poor can undergo considerable improvement through the various income-generating activities of VDVKs.
Presently, there are 44 VDVKs spread across Kerala, with the Forest Department as the implementing agency. There are over 660 Self Help Groups under various VDVKs, and 12,038 members from various tribal communities are associated with this initiative in the state.
The Chalakudy FDA has been at the forefront of establishing Van Dhan Vikas
Kendras (VDVKs), extending benefits to forest-dependent communities. Through 15 Self- Help Groups (SHGs) various value-added products, including pickles, lip balms, honey syrup, jams, and other food products, are prepared and sold as part of the VDVK initiative in Chalakudy. These products can be purchased from our portal.