(a) the estimated number of forest dwellers dependent on the Minor Forest Produce (MFP) for their livelihood;
(b) the details of the guidelines which regulate Minimum Support Price (MSP) for MFP including the agencies involved in ensuring remunerative price for forest produce;
(c) the details of MSP determined for various MFP during the last one year and the current year;
(d) whether any cold storage, warehousing and other infrastructure facility for MFP have been provided and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and
(e) the measures undertaken/proposed to be undertaken for promotion and marketing of MFPs? |
| ANSWER |
MINISTER OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JUAL ORAM)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement referred to in parts (a) to (e) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 444 for 8.8.2014 regarding Minor Forest Produce.
(a): An estimated 100 million forest dwellers depend on the Minor Forest Produce (MFP) for food, shelter, medicines, cash income etc.
(b): The Government has recently launched a scheme “Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain for MFP” to address the issue of providing MSP for MFP. The MSP is also a mechanism to recover the cost at the time of distress sale for select MFP by the gatherers. An expert group ensures determination of MSP for select MFP with entire set of input costs. Marketing operation at pre-fixed MSP is undertaken by the designated State Agencies. The details of designated agencies are at Annex.
(c): The details of MSP announced for various MFP during the last year and current year are as under:-
Sl.No. MFP MSP per Kg.(in Rs.)
1. Seeded 22.00
Tamarind
2. Honey 132.00 (except Gujarat)
3. Gum Karaya 108.00
(Gr.iii)
4. Karanj Seed 21.00
5. Mahua seed 22.00
6. Sal seed 10.00
7. Sal leaves 21.00
8. Chironjee pod 100.00
with seed
9. Myrobalan 11.00
10. Lac-(i) 210.00
Rangeeni
(ii) Kusumi 290.00
(d) Rs 3.5 crore has been provided to the state of Maharashtra for development of necessary infrastructure facilities such as godowns, cold storage, processing facilities, etc. A budget provision of Rs.179.00 crore has been made for the Twelfth Plan Period for these facilities.
(e) The Ministry of Tribal Affairs supports development of new products or new usage of existing products with respect to MFP. It also supports creation of supply chain infrastructure; market information system; value addition; Research and Development amongst other things. |
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