Context
• Government data shows a 92% drop in procurement of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) at MSP across 19 States in 2024–25 compared to 2023–24.
Minor Forest Produce (MFP) – Prelims basics
• Meaning: Non-timber forest products such as tendu leaves, bamboo, mahua flowers, gums, resins, medicinal plants, etc.
• Importance: Major livelihood source for Scheduled Tribes and forest-dependent communities.
Legal and rights framework
• Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006
• Section 3(1)(c): STs and OTFDs have ownership and collection rights over MFP.
• Gram Sabha: Primary authority to regulate access, pricing and management of MFP.
MSP for MFP Scheme
• Launched: 2013
• Objective: Provide fair prices and reduce exploitation by middlemen
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Tribal Affairs
• Implementing Agency: TRIFED
• Coverage: 25+ MFP items (tendu, sal seed, lac, neem seed, etc.)
