The state of Odisha, home to a significant tribal population, has long recognized the importance of empowering its indigenous Tribal communities to achieve sustainable development. In a bold move toward this goal, the Government of Odisha launched the Mukhya Mantri Janajati Jeevika Mission (MMJJM) under the “ST Livelihood and Income Generating Programme.” This state-funded initiative is not only one of the largest tribal livelihood promotion programs in India but also a beacon of hope for thousands of tribal families.MMJJM has been designed to uplift tribal communities by enhancing their livelihoods through a multifaceted approach. The program, operational across 14 districts and 121 Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) blocks, covers 23 Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) areas. With its initial phase spanning from FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26, the mission aims to directly benefit 1.5 lakh tribal households. The ST and SC Development Department has been leading the charge, with implementation facilitated by ITDAs, along with 16 other partner NGOs. PRADAN and State-level Project Management Unit (PMU) have been supporting the program in multiple ways. The TYME initiative is a non-farm livelihood promotion program with a clear goal to reduce migration, create local employment opportunities, diversify livelihood options, and contribute to the economic development of tribal areas in Odisha. This initiative is crucial in addressing the challenges faced by tribal youth, who often struggle to find sustainable employment within their communities. By promoting micro-entrepreneurship, the program has not only provided a viable alternative to migration but also stimulated local economies. The initiative has been empowering tribal youth by providing them with the necessary tools, training, and financial support to succeed in their entrepreneurial endeavours.A total of 1,360 tribal youths has been selected by the ITDAs for the TYME initiative, following recommendations from the respective JanajatiJeevika Parishads (JJPs). These youth, already engaged in various business activities, have shown a commitment to expanding their ventures into full-fledged enterprises. During the initiative, 49 different types of enterprises have been identified for the select youth. The training program has been curated in a way to make it gender inclusive. Out of the 1,360 tribal youth micro-entrepreneurs selected, 420 are female, and 940 are male. This gender inclusivity is a testament to the program’s commitment to empowering women in tribal communities, who often face additional barriers to entrepreneurship. To ensure the success of these budding entrepreneurs, The SPMU has developed guidelines for TYME promotion, along with a training module and materials focused on micro-entrepreneurship promotion. Additionally, a State-level Training of Trainers (ToT) program hasbeen organized for the ITDA PMU team and BLEs, covering micro-entrepreneurship and Business Development Plan (BDP) preparation. These trainers, in turn, guided tribal youth in micro-entrepreneurship at the ITDA level.The BDPs, prepared in collaboration with the entrepreneurs, ITDA staff and Block level Experts from facilitating NGOs, are tailored to the specific needs and goals of each business. Moreover, the program has been offering training sessions and knowledge-building events to equip the entrepreneurs with the skills and insights necessary to thrive in their respective fields.Many young entrepreneurs have already benefited from the program. A lot of entrepreneurs have started making profits of around INR 50,000 in a quarter and are looking for bigger projections of their future. Similar challenges are prevalent in other regions governed by tribal communities, where migration often serves as a primary source of livelihood. Many families send members to distant states, leading to exploitation, harsh work conditions, and disrupted family lives. Thus, there is a need for such training programs for empowering the tribal community of our country and needs similar expansion in other regions governed by tribal communities.Note- Please find the above article on behalf of Hemendra Kumar Pratihari, TSA Lead Program Officer, Odisha
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