Value chain analysis of Jatropha in tribal belt of Rajasthan

Abstract

The value chain is a sequence of activities in which products pass through all in order and through each activity, the product gains some value. The major problem of Rajasthan's forest management is a challenging endeavour due to the harsh climatic and edaphic conditions, as well as the severe biotic pressure and growing demand and supply gaps for forest products. Migration has become the predominant source of income for the region as a whole and for the tribal communities. The majority of tribes are not aware of the opportunities within the radius. Due to pandemic, the majority of them had headed back to their regions. They started small-scale operations like daily wage contracts, goat rearing, collecting the forest produce, and setting up local shops and repair/ garage shops. Apart from all the odds, value chain interventions provide sustainable livelihood to the community in a far more appropriate manner. To Overcome this, minor forest products have untapped potential in the value chain, which should be exploited. Therefore, to provide the best out of available solutions, the majority of the foundations, NGO’s and Government bodies focused on value chain intervention of the forest produce, which provides economic opportunities to tribal communities in an indefinite manner. The study aimed to map the value chain elements involved in Wild Jatropha. With this aim, three objectives are articulated in the study i.e. to map the elements/activities within the realm of the value chain and operational dynamics of Wild Jatropha, to analyze the identified key elements in the value chain and to identify the areas where interventions are required and suggest appropriate measures for the value chain of wild Jatropha. The study is limited to the Kotra block of Udaipur District (Rajasthan). Based on the study it is evident that the collection of wild Jatropha is one of the secondary occupations of the tribal. These untapped resources enhance the income of the tribal community, if it is use properly. There are many interventions or value-added aspects within the value chain of Wild Jatropha. However, limiting too few of them is entirely dependent on the community, financial status, awareness level, acceptance rate and technological interventions. Jatropha Shell is the value intervention, which suits more often to the tribal community. This sort of intervention draws a large section of the market and achieves sustainability within the community. Capacity building and awareness are the drivers that nudge economic stability and foster the livelihood of the tribal.