Analysing the Commercial Viability of Tamarind (The Minor Forest Produce) for the Tribal in Jharkhand

Analysing the Commercial Viability of Tamarind (The Minor Forest Produce) for the Tribal in Jharkhand

Dr Shanta Rani Kerketta

Associate Professor (Economics)

Lady Irwin College (University of Delhi)

Sikandra Lane, New Delhi-110001

Abstract: Forest plays a very important role in the socioeconomic lives of Tribal. They collect and sell the forest products in local markets and earn their livelihood. The present study is conducted to  study the commercial viability of Tamarind production in Jharkhand taking into consideration both primary and secondary data. The four districts of Jharkhand namely Khunti, Chaibasa, Simdega, and Gumla were selected for the study. Primary data has been gathered through field monitoring carried out in different villages in four districts of Jharkhand.  Structured interviews, FGDs (Focus Group Discussions), observation and visit to local markets were also done and used as  the tools to closely examine the activities involved in studying the commercial viability of Tamarind in the State. Present study entitled “Analysing the commercial viability of Tamarind” was carried out to understand the commercial value of Tamarind production in Jharkhand, and analyse the benefits derived from the government schemes. Jharkhand, despite being one of the largest tamarind producing state, the involved producers gets very less share in whole of the value chain. This is because of lack of knowledge of market, Less support from co-operatives and Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, no/less information about government schemes and more importantly till date there is no fully mechanized production unit to make the finished products out of the minor forest produce namely Tamarind. The middlemen and wholesalers mostly earn by semi-processing it and then exporting to other states namely West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Orissa  and Delhi.

Keywords:  Non-timber forest products, Minor Forest Produce,  Minimum Support Price, tribal, Joint Forest Management.