NEW DELHI: In a move that comes as a relief to crores of tribals dependent on gathering of forest produce, the ministry of home affairs has added to the list of exemptions in the guidelines for second phase of lockdown, collection, harvesting and processing of non - timber Minor Forest Produce ( MFP ) by scheduled tribes and other forest dwellers. These exemptions are timely as the peak harvesting season has set-in in many regions.To focus on tribal livelihood in these testing times and to ensure that they get the benefit of an equitable market price for their produce, the ministry of tribal affairs is also considering the proposal of the Price Committee for minimum support price (MSP) for MFP wherein it is recommended that the MSP for the existing 50 MFPs be increased in the range of 16% to 30%. It is also sought to add 25 new items to the list of MFPs.The price committee chaired by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Federation managing director Pravir Krishna has recommended for inclusion in the list of MFPs raw and dry mushrooms, black pepper, turmeric, ginger, black rice, tamarind seeds, Bamboo broom and giloe among others. It is also recommended to include with cold storage facility pine apple, banana, jack fruit and mahua.The last time the MSP saw a significant revision was in December 2018. It is learnt that given the economic challenges in view of the COVID pandemic, the ministry is expected to take a decision on the revision of prices and addition of new MFPs soon.Drawing attention to livelihoods of tribals, minister of tribal affairs Arjun Munda last week wrote to the chief ministers of all tribal dominant states to put in place procurement systems to enable the forest produce gatherers to sell the MFP at the fixed Minimum Support Price.Meanwhile, price committee in a webinar held on Wednesday also asserted on the need to focus on initiating MSP operations in all states at primary markets called haat bazaars. To ensure linkages for enabling the forest gatherers to get the advantage of the minimum support price, TRIFED will be now coordinating with states on setting up procurement centres with weighing facilities, transport and appropriate cold and dry storage.As a follow-up to minister Arjun Munda’s letter to CMs, TRIFED has sent out advisories to states for pushing tribal livelihoods with all precautions and following WHO and ministry of health safety protocols. TRIFED MD Pravir Krishna said that all regional managers have been asked to follow-up with the states.In his letter to the CMs, Munda had reiterated that the poor and marginalized including the tribal communities are most vulnerable in the current situation arising out of the pandemic. “This being the peak season for collection and harvest of MFP in many regions makes it imperative to initiate certain proactive measures to ensure the well-being of the tribal communities and their economy based on non - timber forest produce by providing them safety and ensuring their livelihoods,” Munda said.Munda pointed that these measures are necessary to prevent middlemen from urban areas moving to tribal habitations to take advantage of the situation of the poor tribals to buy out the MFP at a cheaper rate. The minister also feels that timely measures for procurement of MFP at the MSP will prevent middlemen from urban areas from reaching out to tribal habitats thereby reducing the possibility of spread of Corona virus among the tribal communities.Meanwhile, under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Vikas Yojana, that seeks to build a value addition network for forest produce and livelihoods, TRIFED in collaboration with UNICEF is all set to orient and engage 15,000 Van Dhan Self Help Groups out of over 18,000 to be the messengers in their communities on awareness around COVID19 and social distancing.