The Union government’s ‘mechanism for the marketing of minor forest produce (MFP) through minimum support price (MSP) and development of value chain for MFP’ scheme can offer respite to forest-dependent labourers in the wake of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, according to experts.

About MSP for MFP Scheme

• The scheme, launched by the Centre in August 2013, provides fair price for MFP collected by tribals through MSP.
• It is designed as a social safety net for improvement of livelihood of MFP gatherers by providing them fair price for the MFPs they collect.
• MFP comprises all non-timber forest produce of plant origin such as bamboo, brush wood, stumps, cane, tussar, cocoons, honey, wax, lac, tendu or kendu leaves, medicinal plants and herbs, roots, tubers, etc, according to the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
• The Scheme was been implemented in eight States having Schedule areas as listed in the Fifth Schedule of the constitution of India.
• From November 2016, the scheme is applicable in all States.

Issues in implementation

• Almost 60-70 per cent income of forest dwellers depends on collection and sale of MFP, according to the tribal affairs ministry.
• However, the scheme has not been activated because in most cases, states have not given their 25 per cent share.

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