TRIFED Signs MoUs To Boost Tribal Empowerment

In a significant step towards tribal empowerment, the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) has entered into strategic partnerships with Reliance Retail, HCL Foundation, and Torajamelo, Indonesia. These partnerships aim to uplift tribal communities across India by providing them with enhanced market access, sustainable sourcing opportunities, and skill development initiatives. The Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on February 19, 2025, during the ongoing flagship celebration, Aadi Mahotsav, at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in New Delhi from February 16 to 24, 2025. This is a significant development in promoting a business-to-business (B2B) model to enhance the tribal product market at national and international levels.

The MoUs were signed between TRIFED's General Managers and the representatives of the partner organizations in the presence of TRIFED's Managing Director, Shri Ashish Chatterjee. The dignitaries present included Mr. Pradeep Ramachandran, Reliance Retail's Senior Vice President; Dr. Nidhi Pundhir, HCL Foundation's Global CSR Head; and Ms. Aparna Saxena Bhatnagar, CEO of Torajamelo, Indonesia. These associations are in keeping with TRIFED's vision of empowering tribal entrepreneurs and artisans by giving them more exposure, skill upgradation, and access to bigger markets.

The tie-up with Reliance Retail will allow bulk supply of tribal products to one of India's largest retail chains, thus providing a long-term source of livelihood for tribal artisans. In addition to procurement, the association also deals with branding, promotion, and sustainable sourcing programs that will further raise the profile of tribal handicrafts and products. This will ensure a stable and large market for tribal products, thus building the economic base of these communities.

The deal with HCL Foundation is specifically aimed at imparting long-term capacity-building training to tribal artisans. The foundation, through various training programs, will enhance artisans' skills, increase product quality, and enhance their current product lines. The HCL Foundation will also extend promotional support through its large platforms, providing wider reach for tribal products. By enhancing innovation and craftsmanship, the partnership aims to make tribal businesses self-sustaining and competitive in the marketplace.

Internationally, TRIFED's partnership with Torajamelo, an Indonesian social enterprise, creates new opportunities for Indian tribal products in Indonesia. This will create new marketing and sales channels, enabling artisans to present their products to the world. The partnership will not only enhance economic opportunities for Indian tribal communities but also facilitate cultural exchange between Indian and Indonesian artisans. This cross-cultural cooperation will assist in protecting and marketing traditional craftsmanship while facilitating the reach of Indian tribal products to a wider global clientele.

Aadi Mahotsav has been one of the major efforts on the part of TRIFED in extending direct market access to tribal master craftsmen and women in the metropolitan cities and state capitals. The festival is an occasion to celebrate tribal entrepreneurship, craft, culture, cuisine, and commerce, reflecting the spirit of tribal life. In 2025, the theme of the festival, "A Celebration of the Spirit of Entrepreneurship, Tribal Craft, Culture, Cuisine, and Commerce," celebrates the spirit of entrepreneurship among India's tribal artisans while upholding their rich cultural heritage.

The festival was launched on 16th February 2025 by the Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, in the distinguished presence of Shri Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs; Shri Durga Das Uikey, Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs; and Ms. Bansuri Swaraj, Hon'ble Member of Parliament, New Delhi, among others. The gathering of these renowned leaders reflects the government's strong commitment to tribal socio-economic growth and their mainstreaming into the economy.

By efforts such as Aadi Mahotsav and strategic alliances, TRIFED keeps generating sustainable economic opportunities for tribal artisans to ensure that their craft is given its due recognition and commercial acclaim. These steps are a part of a larger vision of empowering India's tribal communities, filling the gap between the rural and urban economy, and keeping heritage art alive while making it relevant to modern times.

With these recent MoUs and some other initiatives, TRIFED is steadily fulfilling its purpose of empowering tribal people, securing their economic well-being, and bringing them to the mainstream of development. These joint ventures with top organizations will be instrumental in changing the tribal economy, making artisans self-sufficient, and building a sustainable ecosystem where artisans as well as consumers will benefit.