The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) in partnership with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs has announced the launch of the ‘Tribal Entrepreneurship Development Programme’ (TEDP) to choose 350 tribal artists to help them expand their enterprise.
A statement jointly issued by ASSOCHAM and Ministry of Tribal Affairs said, “The programme is initiated by the central government to allow the tribal communities to get into the mainstream, leverage their strength, and to help them contribute to the process of nation-building.”
“This is in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan announced by the central government to initiate self-sustenance and would help in creating employment-generating opportunities for the tribal community,” the statement said.
Speaking on the development, Arjun Munda, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, Government of India said, “There is a huge amount of ignorance about the tribal heritage and products.”
“Skill development and training is the need of the hour, to make them confident, self-reliant, financially independent and to develop and build resilience in them,” Munda said.
“The program designed to develop entrepreneurial skills in tribal artisans by the ASSOCHAM is a kind of value proposition that they were looking at. Hopefully, it will alter the path towards growth and inclusiveness for the tribal community in the country,” he added
“The program would identify artisans engaged into segments like Tribal Textiles, Paintings and Wall art, Superfoods, Traditional Medicinal Plants and Products, and Forest Produce. The artisans would be selected for the program from all across the country,” the statement added.
Each selected one amongst the tribes’ pan-India will be assessed and the training module will be designed based on this assessment. The training will be aimed at improving the skillset based on the area of their expertise and developing new designs for their products as per market demand.
Skills such as how to market their products on various platforms, how to maintain checks and balances, better accounting practices for managing finances would be taught and emphasized upon.
Commenting on the partnership, Niranjan Hiranandani, President, ASSOCHAM said, “The program will ensure that no one remains without the opportunity to progress and grow. To support India’s vision of becoming Aatmanirbhar, the ‘Tribal Entrepreneurship Development Programme’ would try and optimize the contribution of tribal community to the growing economy of our country.”
“The training that will be given at the CoE will make sure that the potential of approximately 8 percent of our population must be fully developed and leveraged,” Hiranandani added.
‘There are several challenges and bottlenecks that inhibit the growth process of creating self-sustainable enterprises. These artisans face challenges such as lack of financial linkage and market access,” Mr. Deepak Sood, Secretary-General, ASSOCHAM said.
Further adding to the statement, He said, “At the center, we are trying to explore avenues of propelling the process and creation of robust tribal brand identity and in the process – build and enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of the tribal artisans.”