B2B Meet at Aadi Mahotsav sparks collaborations empowering tribal entrepreneurship
B2B Meet at Aadi Mahotsav sparks
collaborations empowering tribal entrepreneurship
Arjun Munda addresses the B2B meet and underscores Government’s commitment to
fostering tribal entrepreneurship at the grassroots level
TRIFED signs MoU with ITC under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission to
empower tribal farmers and suppliers of turmeric, while promising to uplift
rural economies and improve livelihoods
Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Arjun
Munda, presided over as the Chief Guest at the Business-to-Business (B2B) Meet
organized by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs as part of the ongoing Aadi
Mahotsav, in New Delhi.
The B2B Meet provided a direct interface between industry leaders,
startup CEOs, tribal artisans and producers, paving the way for exploration of
numerous business opportunities and their integration into the mainstream.
Expert-led workshops and panel discussions delved into essential topics for
entrepreneurial success, including branding strategies, packaging innovations,
funding access and market identification.
Addressing the gathering, Arjun Munda noted that the event underscored a
profound commitment to fostering tribal entrepreneurship at the grassroots
level.
Vibhu Nayar, Secretary (Tribal Affairs) emphasized the significance of
the B2B session, highlighting its role as a catalyst for economic development,
collaboration and empowerment among tribal entrepreneurs across diverse
sectors.
During the event, a significant milestone was achieved with the signing
of an MoU between Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India
(TRIFED) and corporate powerhouse ITC, establishing a collaborative framework
under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) scheme. This
initiative aims to leverage the strengths of both entities to empower tribal
farmers and suppliers, particularly in states where turmeric cultivation is
prevalent, promising to uplift rural economies and improve livelihoods.
Celebrating the achievements of tribal women entrepreneurs, the event showcased
their remarkable journey to global markets with support from TRIFED,
underscoring the agency's commitment to promoting their products and enhancing
capacities.
Engaging discussions and networking opportunities saw the active
participation of 16 corporations, 4 startups, 3 industry confederations, 1 food
chain restaurant, 8 SIA/SNDs, and 5 organic food dealers directly engaging with
tribal artisans. These interactions aimed to broaden domestic and global
markets for tribal products while providing insights into production capacities
and procurement possibilities.
Further, the event saw 90 sellers registering through networking
participants, with Meta representatives providing guidance on leveraging social
media platforms for business expansion. Additionally, 20 sellers were
successfully onboarded onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
network, marking a significant step towards digital integration and market
accessibility.
The vibrant exhibition featuring stalls from approximately 250 tribal
entrepreneurs captivated attendees with a diverse range of products, blending
traditional craftsmanship with contemporary innovation. The B2B event has
catalyzed new collaborations and partnerships, paving the way for tribal
producers and artisans to offer unadulterated, natural, and organic products
that promote health, enhance lifestyles, and advocate for sustainable
agricultural practices.
The gathering included the presence of senior
officers from Ministry of Tribal Affairs, including Dr Naval Jit Kapoor,
Additional Secretary, BN Prasad, Joint Secretary, and T Roumuan Paite, MD,
TRIFED.