Minor Forest Produce (MFP)

Minor Forest Produce (MFP) refers to all non-timber forest products (NTFPs) that are obtained from forests and are vital to the livelihood and sustenance of millions of forest-dependent and tribal communities in India. These products include plant-based materials such as fruits, seeds, leaves, gums, resins, medicinal plants, honey, and bamboo, excluding timber and other major wood products.
MFPs play a critical role in rural economy, biodiversity conservation, and socio-economic development, especially in tribal regions where they serve as an essential source of food, income, and employment.

Definition and Concept

The term Minor Forest Produce is defined under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 as:

“All non-timber forest produce of plant origin including bamboo, brushwood, stumps, canes, tussar, cocoons, honey, waxes, lac, tendu or kendu leaves, medicinal plants and herbs, roots, tubers, and similar forest produce.”

This definition clearly excludes timber, which is considered major forest produce, but includes a wide range of natural resources that are renewable and ecologically significant.
MFPs are often referred to as Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in international terminology, highlighting their role in sustainable forest use without damaging trees or degrading forest ecosystems.

Importance of Minor Forest Produce

MFPs are often described as the “lifeline of forest dwellers” due to their economic, social, and ecological importance:

1. Livelihood Security:
   • Provide a substantial part of income and subsistence for over 100 million forest dwellers in India.
   • Collection, processing, and sale of MFPs form a crucial source of seasonal employment.
2. Food and Nutritional Value:
   • Many MFPs such as fruits, seeds, nuts, and tubers are vital sources of nutrition for tribal households.
3. Medicinal and Cultural Value:
   • Several MFPs are used in Ayurveda, Unani, and traditional tribal medicine.
   • Certain products like lac and tendu leaves also hold cultural and ritual importance.
4. Ecological Role:
   • Sustainable harvesting of MFPs promotes forest conservation and biodiversity protection.
5. Economic Potential:
   • India is a rich repository of MFPs, with over 10,000 species of plants having potential economic use.

Examples of Major MFPs in India

Among these, tendu leaves, bamboo, mahua flowers, sal seeds, and lac are some of the most commercially valuable MFPs in India.

Legal and Policy Framework

The governance and trade of MFPs in India are regulated through several acts and policies:

1. Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006

• Recognises the rights of forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDSTs) and other traditional forest dwellers (OTFDs) to collect, own, and dispose of MFPs.
• Empowers Gram Sabhas (village assemblies) to manage and sell MFPs for the benefit of local communities.
• Marks a significant shift from state-controlled forest management to community-based forest governance.

2. Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), 1996

• Grants ownership rights over MFPs to Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas (Fifth Schedule areas).
• Ensures that tribal communities have the primary right over the collection and trade of forest produce.

3. State Forest and Cooperative Policies

• Many states (e.g., Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand) have set up State Minor Forest Produce Federations and cooperative societies to manage MFP collection and marketing.

4. National Forest Policy, 1988

• Emphasises the role of forest-dependent communities in sustainable forest management and equitable sharing of forest benefits.

Minor Forest Produce Scheme: MSP for MFP

To support forest dwellers and tribal gatherers, the Government of India launched the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Minor Forest Produce Scheme in 2013–14 under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA).

Objectives:

• To provide a fair and remunerative price for MFPs collected by tribals.
• To prevent exploitation by middlemen and private traders.
• To promote value addition, processing, and marketing of forest produce.

Key Features:

• Implemented through the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).
• Covers 87 notified MFP items (as of 2024) including tendu leaves, mahua, tamarind, honey, and lac.
• MSP is determined annually based on market trends and input from state agencies.
• Procurement is carried out by state-level federations or cooperatives, ensuring direct benefit to collectors.

Implementation Mechanism:

1. Collection: Forest dwellers collect MFPs from designated areas.
2. Procurement Centres: Local cooperatives or agencies purchase produce at MSP.
3. Value Addition: Processing, packaging, and grading to enhance market value.
4. Marketing: Sale through TRIFED’s retail network (Tribes India) or export.

The scheme has been particularly successful in tribal-dominated states such as Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand.

Institutional Framework

1. TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India):
   • Established in 1987 under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
   • Promotes marketing and value addition of MFPs through tribal cooperatives.
   • Implements the Van Dhan Yojana, empowering tribal self-help groups for processing and entrepreneurship.
2. Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs):
   • Launched in 2018 as part of the Van Dhan Yojana.
   • Set up clusters of tribal gatherers (Van Dhan Self-Help Groups) for value addition and skill training.
   • Promotes local enterprise development and income diversification.
3. State MFP Federations:
   • Act as apex bodies coordinating procurement, storage, and sale of forest produce within states.
   • Example: Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Federation (CGMFPFED), a model institution for effective MFP management.

Challenges in the MFP Sector

Despite its potential, the MFP sector faces several structural and institutional challenges:

1. Price Volatility:
   • Market prices fluctuate due to seasonal supply, poor infrastructure, and lack of market access.
2. Middlemen Exploitation:
   • Tribal collectors often receive low returns due to dependence on intermediaries.
3. Inadequate Storage and Processing Facilities:
   • Absence of local value-addition units leads to wastage and lower profitability.
4. Limited Market Access:
   • Poor connectivity and lack of awareness restrict entry into larger or export markets.
5. Lack of Institutional Credit:
   • Collectors and cooperatives face difficulties in accessing working capital.
6. Policy and Implementation Gaps:
   • Inconsistent coordination between forest, tribal, and commerce departments hinders effective management.

Measures for Strengthening the MFP Sector

• Expansion of MSP Coverage: Inclusion of more MFP items under the MSP scheme.
• Capacity Building: Training tribal collectors in sustainable harvesting and value addition.
• Promotion of Van Dhan Clusters: Encouraging entrepreneurship and self-reliance through SHGs.
• Infrastructure Development: Setting up storage, drying yards, and processing units in forest areas.
• Digital Platforms: Use of e-commerce and digital trade networks (Tribes India E-Marketplace) for MFP sales.
• Sustainable Harvesting Practices: Ensuring conservation through regulated extraction and replanting.

Significance for Tribal Development and Forest Economy

MFPs contribute significantly to the tribal economy, accounting for up to 20–40% of annual household income in many forest regions. By recognising community rights and promoting value chain integration, the sector:

• Strengthens tribal livelihoods and self-reliance.
• Reduces poverty and migration.
• Promotes women’s participation, as women constitute the majority of forest gatherers.
• Enhances local employment generation through value addition.