Marketing Facilitation for Improving Livelihoods of Tribal Producers

摘要

Government regulations constrained tribals' integration with market economy and its benefits. Marketing facilitation institutions established by Government of India for minor forest produce trade had severe limitations. In this regard, an alternativeto supplement or compliment government's work is necessary to improve tribal livelihoods. Non-government organizations (NGOs) which gained importance since seventh five-year plan were taking efforts for linking tribals to markets. Dhruva is one such NGOestablished in Gujarat state. Through orchard programme, it created alternative asset base for tribal producers and established production, processing and marketing facilities. It also created community-based organizations to sustain activities in the long run. This article, based on qualitative research, presents an analysis of Dhruva's efforts in integrating tribal producers with markets and changes taking place in their livelihoods.