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VDVK under PMVDY Project

Satkashi Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) under PMVDY

The Satkashi Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK), situated in Satkashi village, Songadh taluka, Tapi district, is an initiative under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), aimed at empowering tribal communities by promoting sustainable utilization of forest produce. This initiative seeks to transform the economic lives of tribals by enabling them to add value to the forest products they collect and creating avenues for direct income generation.

Gramin Vikas Trust, in partnership with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, has been actively working to support the beneficiaries of Satkashi VDVK by providing training, infrastructure, and resources. This is in line with the broader objective of the PMVDY, which seeks to make tribal communities self-reliant and help them harness the potential of their local biodiversity.

A 4-day training program was recently conducted by Gramin Vikas Trust for the beneficiaries of Satkashi VDVK. The training was focused on skill development for processing and value addition of forest produce. The program provided hands-on training to the participants on how to make products from forest materials available in their surroundings.

The training included the preparation of various products using forest resources like Kesuda flowers, Mahuda, Bila, and Mango. Some of the products taught during the program included soap made from Kesuda flowers, biscuits and laddus made from Mahuda, Mahuda powder, mango chutney, mango chocolates, and jam. The beneficiaries also learned to make sherbet and chutney from Bila, a local forest produce.

The objective of the training program was not only to teach the participants how to make these products but also to raise awareness about the diverse potential of forest-based resources. The trainers emphasized how these products could be produced in large quantities, thereby enhancing the marketability and income potential of the beneficiaries. The program aimed to foster an entrepreneurial mindset and provide the participants with the tools needed to start small-scale businesses based on their local resources.

In addition to product preparation, the training program also focused on best practices in packaging, labeling, and marketing these products. The beneficiaries were given guidance on how to sell these products in local and regional markets, including potential linkages with larger commercial enterprises and online platforms. This approach is aligned with the PMVDY’s goal to not only create value-added products but also to establish sustainable income streams for the tribal communities involved.

The Satkashi VDVK is part of a network of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras spread across the country, which works under the PMVDY to promote tribal entrepreneurship. The Kendra at Satkashi is particularly important because of the variety of forest produce available in the region, which can be used to make a wide range of products.

Apart from economic empowerment, the PMVDY also aims at enhancing the knowledge and skills of the tribal population, especially in the areas of natural resource management, product development, and sustainability. The program seeks to reduce dependence on external markets for income, helping communities to develop their own local economies through the sustainable use of forest resources.

By teaching the tribals to create value-added products from forest produce, the Satkashi VDVK is helping them move beyond traditional practices of simple collection and sale of raw materials. The emphasis is now on sustainable, value-driven initiatives that allow tribal communities to keep a larger share of the profits generated by the products they make.

Through this initiative, the beneficiaries of the Satkashi VDVK are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to not only improve their livelihoods but also contribute to the conservation of their environment. The success of such programs contributes to the holistic development of tribal communities by creating economic opportunities, preserving traditional knowledge, and encouraging sustainable resource use.

Gramin Vikas Trust’s work with Satkashi VDVK under the PMVDY is a model for other such centers across the country, showing how targeted training and support can lead to long-term sustainable development for tribal communities. The ongoing efforts in Satkashi are helping to pave the way for a more self-sufficient and prosperous future for the tribal population, fostering an environment where local resources are transformed into profitable ventures, empowering the community at large.