The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): The Ministry of Tribal Affairs hosted a Business-to-Business (B2B) Meet as part of the ongoing Aadi Mahotsav in New Delhi, presided over by Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Shri Arjun Munda. This event served as a crucial platform for connecting industry leaders, startup CEOs, tribal artisans, and producers, opening doors to numerous business opportunities and mainstream integration.
The B2B Meet featured expert-led workshops and panel discussions on key entrepreneurial aspects such as branding strategies, packaging innovations, funding access, and market identification. Shri Arjun Munda, addressing the attendees, highlighted the Government’s commitment to fostering tribal entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. Shri Vibhu Nayar, Secretary (Tribal Affairs), emphasized the B2B session’s role as a catalyst for economic development and empowerment among tribal entrepreneurs.
A significant highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) and ITC. This agreement, under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM) scheme, aims to empower tribal farmers and suppliers, particularly in turmeric cultivation, to uplift rural economies and improve livelihoods.
The event celebrated the achievements of tribal women entrepreneurs and their journey to global markets with TRIFED’s support, showcasing their products and enhanced capacities. The interactions involved 16 corporations, 4 startups, 3 industry confederations, 1 food chain restaurant, 8 SIA/SNDs, and 5 organic food dealers directly engaging with tribal artisans to expand domestic and global markets for tribal products.
The B2B Meet registered 90 sellers through networking participants, with Meta representatives providing guidance on social media usage for business growth. Additionally, 20 sellers were onboarded onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) network, facilitating digital integration and market accessibility.
The event featured an exhibition with approximately 250 tribal entrepreneurs displaying a range of products, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation. This B2B event has initiated new collaborations and partnerships, enabling tribal producers and artisans to offer natural and organic products that promote health and sustainable agricultural practices.
Senior officers from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, including Dr. Naval Jit Kapoor, Additional Secretary; Shri B.N. Prasad, Joint Secretary, and Shri T. Roumuan Paite, MD, TRIFED, were present at the gathering.